Ned Albert Hall

Ned Albert Hall was a man for whom actions would speak louder than words. His life motto might well have been “if it isn’t logical, it’s not important.” The qualities of being fair, just and the ability to recognize what was right were clearly driving forces in Ned’s life. He was also the kind of person who could respect a “do not disturb” sign, whether it was real or implied. He was very observant, with an ability to be learn from what he saw and was able to do the project. Ned was modest in his actions and had a great skill in the manner in which he communicated with others. When Ned said something, he meant it. All those who knew him appreciated this trademark quality and his wonderful personality. Ned was born on March 15, 1944 at his home in Granite Falls, North Carolina. His parents were Albert Monroe Hall and Toyie Jane Goble Hall. Ned was raised in Granite Falls, North Carolina, on a farm. As a small child he helped on the farm and helped his mother take care of his grandmother. As Ned grew older, he realized the importance of being treated fairly, and in return, he treated everyone around him the same way. This belief in fair play served Ned well throughout his life and despite his natural shyness; he enjoyed a solid group of friends.Ned was the youngest and was raised with two brothers and two sisters. His two older brothers were Ellis Junior Hall and William Elbert Hall, his two older sisters were Garnette Marie Hall Townsend and Billie Fern Hall. Ned was involved in activities with his sister Billie due to her not being able to walk. During his childhood, family and friends viewed Ned as a quiet and reserved person with what most would consider a calming personality. In fact, he was a fairly curious child who had the ability to entertain himself. He was an active child who loved being outdoors playing with family and friends. In his spare time he liked playing with cap buster guns, bows and arrows, and loved his Hop Along Cassidy bicycle. Ned's memorable achievements included his love for cooking, Ned helped his daddy with the daily farm activities and helped him get in the wood for the house. He learned to cook with his mama and they would cook on Saturday nights together. They could just throw together things and it would make a wonderful dish In the years of school during Ned's growing up he went to Dudley Shoals Elementary School for 8 years and then went to Oak Hill High School to the 10th grade when he quit school to go to work as most people did during those days. Ned was well known for always being up front and open, never hiding his true feelings, qualities that drew deep loyalty from his friends because they understood and appreciated him for the person he was. Another quality that people admired in Ned was his ability to never meet a stranger. He would help anyone that he could with anything they needed if he was able. While growing up, some of his best friends were the Laney children, the Triplett children, Marshall Kirby and Max Spencer. Later in life, he became friends with Carl Mash,Don Gragg and Larry Bowman and continued his childhood friendship with Marshall Kirby, Ken Triplett and Max Spencer.

This same loyalty and up front honesty Ned shared with his friends carried over to other aspects of his life, including his relationships with his family. On April 1, 1961, Ned exchanged wedding vows with Diana Sue Roberts at the The Judges Chambers of Gaffney, South Carolina. The marriage became a solid relationship, due to the love they had for each other. He was a great listener who enjoyed the couple’s “together” time, especially when it came to watching tv and celebrating special occasions. As the family grew, Ned was a very devoted and loving daddy. His family was everything to him during his life. Ned and Diana were blessed with two children, one daughter, Karen Yvonne Hall, Karen married Daniel Jeffrey Reid and one son, Kevin Albert Hall, Kevin married Robin Elaine Clark. They were also blessed with four grandchildren, Jessica Nichole Reid, Kellie Alicia Hall, Jennifer Michelle Reid and Joshua Andrew Hall. Ned was never impulsive in dealing with family problems. Instead, he would just grin and say "Ask your mama" . Ned was a strong and clear communicator. His words were short and sweet. When he told you to do something you better do it.

In his work life, Ned was the kind of person who had no difficulty in taking on a project and seeing it through to its completion. He had the skills to do anything he set his mind to. Ned started working at Day Motors, then went to Hudson Cotton Mill and then worked at Comfort Furniture, Lail Furniture and then he changed to his primary occupation to long distance tractor trailer driver for 26 years. Ned was employed for many years with Horseman Dolls and Carolina Comfort as a long distance driver. Then later with Hancock and Moore as a short haul driver where he retired. He always worked as a team player and did what was necessary to get the job done. Ned retired early due to medical problems and went home to be with Diana for the golden years of retirement.

Ned enjoyed the “alone” time his hobbies provided. He could sit in his building and work for hours on a woodworking project or just any project while he chewed his tobacco. His favorite hobby was woodworking. He loved making things for people out of any kind of wood. He made handmade checker boards, bird houses, air planes, checkers, trinket boxes and carved out some items for fun and many other things during his years. Ned was content to enjoy his hobbies alone but was also willing to share his interests with others. He loved to make the stuff with wood but oh what a mess of shavings he had in the building. He would just grin if you said when you going to clean out that building and he would say 'ah one day I'll get it'.

Ned had the ability to stay calm and the determination to do what was necessary to get the job finished. Ned loved to drag race at Hudson Motor Speedway where he won many trophies. Ned was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed following his favorite events whenever he got the opportunity. Tops on his list were Nascar. He loved to watch Nascar anytime it was on day or night. When he watched it he would be chewing his tobacco and his favorite saying when you came into the room was "don't tell your mama I’m chewing tobacco". Religion and faith were important to Ned. He held dear the faith and values he derived from his beliefs. He was a member of Center Grove Baptist Church then he changed to Center Grove Mission Church which later changed to Mt. Carmel Baptist Church. He later moved his membership to Temple Hill Baptist Church in Granite Falls, North Carolina.

Because he was a man who let his actions speak for themselves, Ned didn’t find it necessary to brag. He was a content man and enjoyed life and family. During his life he was honored with some awards that included his truck driver awards and his trophies from Hudson Dragstrip. Ned loved the occasions when he was able to travel and get away on a vacation during his earlier years before he had become sick with heart trouble. His favorite vacation spots included trips to St. Augustine, Florida and Cherokee, North Carolina with his family. Vacations on the spur of the moment were great too. He left with his family going on a picnic and ended up in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. You never knew where he might end up on vacations. Ned was a lover of animals and cherished his pets. One of Ned’s favorites was Brownie, his little dog for 12 years, Hobo, his little dog for 16 years and Corky and Captian Jack for 6 years. He loved his pets. His love for animals was always seen and pets loved him. Ned retired to his home with his wife Diana in 2003. He had a strong love for his family and enjoyed being home after retirement. In retirement, he found new pleasure in his woodworking and helping his family with projects. He loved playing with his grandchildren in the pool and just being with them. Ned was known to his grandchildren as Pawpaw and Poppy. If there ever was a great pawpaw or poppy Ned was him. You could see the love he had for his grandchildren as he played with them in the floor or made them breakfast, lunch or supper. He was loved by his whole family.

Ned passed away on March 19, 2014 at Frye Regional Medical Center in Hickory, North Carolina. Ned fought a battle for years with his diabetes, congestive heart failure and leaking valves in his heart. He had a pacemaker/defibrillator in for years but his heart was just to weak to continue. He is survived by his wife, Diana Sue Roberts Hall, his son Kevin Albert Hall and wife Robin Clark Hall, daughter Karen Yvonne Hall Reid and husband Danny Jeff Reid, grandchildren Jessica Nichole Reid, Kellie Alicia Hall, Jennifer Michelle Reid, Joshua Andrew Hall, his sister in laws Ezma R. Austin and Rosie D. Hall, brother in law and sister in law Darrell Roberts and Harolyn Roberts and many nieces and nephews. Services were held privately at Pendry's Lenoir Funeral Home. Ned was be laid to rest privately at a later date.

Ned strongly believed in his family. To him family came first and his love reflected that. The experiences he treasured most were those he shared with his loved ones. Ned Albert Hall was a devoted husband, daddy and paw paw or poppy and will be greatly missed more than words could ever tell.Ned Albert Hall, 70, of Granite Falls, passed away Wednesday, March 19, 2014 at Frye Regional Medical Center.

Mr. Hall was born March 15, 1944 in Caldwell County to the late Albert Monroe Hall and Toyie Jane Goble Hall. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Ellis Junior Hall and William Elbert Hall, and his sisters, Garnette Marie Hall Townsend and Billie Fern Hall, and brother-in-law, Wade A. Austin. He was a retired truck driver with the furniture industry.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Diana Sue Roberts Hall of the home; his daughter, Karen H. Reid and husband Danny of Granite Falls; his son, Kevin A. Hall and wife Robin of Granite Falls; his grandchildren, Jessica Nichole Reid, Kellie Alicia Hall, Jennifer Michelle Reid and Joshua Andrew Hall; his sisters-in-law, Ezma Austin and Rosie Hall; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law Darrell and Harolyn Roberts, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Services for Mr. Hall will be private.

The family respectfully requests that memorials be made to Ebenezer United Methodist Church, 4948 Burns Road, Granite Falls, NC 28630.

Online condolences to the Hall family may be placed at www.pendrysfuneralhome.com

Pendry’s Lenoir Funeral Home is honored to be serving the family of Ned Albert Hall.