Keri D. Hall

It was March 2026 just shy of another trip around the sun as Keri completed a visit with her favorite oncologist, Dr. Britt Bolemon—one more dear friend she had a remarkable way of gaining almost instantly, even under the most difficult circumstances.

With her radiant smile, can-do spirit, and unmistakable warmth, Keri had a remarkable gift for drawing people in—no matter their age—and making them feel like old friends from the very first meeting. It was simply who she was: someone you couldn’t help but love the moment you met her.

Friends have described Keri as always being REAL and this real conversation after two years and 3 months of cancer treatment was no different. Dr. Bolemon says “Not the news we had hoped for, but since I’ve known you you’ve done everything full throttle and this is no different.”

Keri spent one full-throttle week at home in the loving care of VIA Health Partners-Hospice Care, surrounded by family and friends. As it happened, the week included her birthday, and it was marked with all the joy and love she so effortlessly inspired in others.

Keri delighted in having Leigh read every thoughtful card aloud—each one a reminder of the many lives she had touched. She happily enjoyed her favorite, chips and cheese dip, lovingly delivered by her godchildren, Elliott and Trevor, and celebrated with another favorite, a sweet potato cake with cream cheese icing from Brick Street Cafe.

In her honor, friends strolled through what Keri called “her front yard,” the Cancer Survivors Park as spring began to bloom, sending photos and love her way—a tribute Keri and Leigh adored.

Keri Dean Hall passed away on March 17, 2026, surrounded by love and the sounds of her favorite music. Her playlist—featuring Whitney Houston, Barbra Streisand, Carole King, and favorites from her beloved musical Suffs—filled the room as Leigh, Ivy, and Tamah shared stories while paging through travel photos from Keri and Leigh’s adventures together.

Keri’s warmth and steadfast spirit will live on in those who loved her most. She is survived by her devoted wife, Leigh Irwin; her mother, Martha “Mitzi” Hall; her sister, Tamah McLain (Bobby); her nieces, Madison M. Frisbee (Kurt) and their son, Judah, Campbell M. Howayeck (Hunter) and their children, Carter and Lainie; her nephew, Robert S. McLain III (Olivia) and their sweet puppy Malli; her sister-in-law, Ivy Irwin (Sam Polley); her parents-in-law, Chris and Ray Irwin; and her aunt-in-law, Debbie Garner, along with Erin, Ray, and (little) Ivy.

She was preceded in death by her father, Perry Dean “P.D.” Hall. Keri was known for being reliable and utterly responsible as she took care of every detail for her mother after Perry (PD) passed away.

Keri was born in Anderson, South Carolina and grew up alongside her sister Tamah, just a year apart. Keri’s childhood dream was to have a horse so Tamah quickly aligned as Mitzi and PD made this dream a reality. After full days at Wade Hampton High School, Keri and Tamah enjoyed many days traveling around the Southeast as teenagers riding hunters and jumpers.

Keri graduated from Converse College after a brief stay at The University of South Carolina where friends fondly remember her as the standout quarterback of her intramural team—a role she took on with her signature mix of confidence and fun. She later graduated from Converse College, where she majored in music and quickly made it clear she was anything but ordinary. Despite Converse’s more formal music curriculum, Keri formed her own band, Keri and Company, which became a popular party band at the Hyatt in downtown Greenville and quickly earned a following. Always a true homebody, Keri did a bit of traveling with the band but decided “being on the road” was not for her. And while she might have blushed to see it in print, those who knew her best would never let us forget—especially Mitzi—that with her musical talent, sharp sense of humor, radiant smile, and beautiful blonde hair, Keri once took the stage as Miss Spartanburg in the Miss South Carolina pageant, turning heads and winning hearts just as she always did.

After college, Keri worked briefly at the Greenville Chamber of Commerce before becoming Executive Director of Freedom Weekend Aloft—the largest hot air balloon festival in the Southeast and second only to the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta nationwide. For 25 years, she organized this annual celebration that delighted attendees year after year. Built largely by dedicated volunteers, the festival was also where Keri formed numerous very close friendships, working side by side with those who helped bring the event to life.

Keri also held a special place in her heart for her nieces and nephew—Madison, Campbell, and Robert—delighting in making them feel celebrated and included, especially during Freedom Weekend Aloft. Whether it was creating memorable moments at the festival or hosting Madison’s sweet sixteen pool party at her home or just cruising with Robert around town, Keri found great happiness in bringing people together and making any and every occasion feel special.

In retirement Keri took on managing she and Leigh’s rental properties, was integral with the design and management of several residential construction projects and worked at the Prisma Health Life Center where she quickly knew every single face and name of the “morning crowd.”

After Leigh’s mother helped Keri overcome her fear of flying by telling her she might consider “just getting over it,” Keri and Leigh discovered a shared love of travel. Keri delighted in telling the funniest stories about their adventures. Over time, she developed a passion for running, cycling, and weightlifting. True to her nature, Keri organized a neighborhood running group that met each week in front of her home, where miles were logged and lasting friendships were formed. She was the inspiration behind the nonprofit GameChanger, which Leigh and a friend were inspired to start after Keri’s stage IV cancer diagnosis.

Keri also enjoyed cycling with friends from BAHRG, even taking on the cobblestone streets of Italy—always with a well-earned stop for gelato along the way. She and Leigh loved their trips to St. John with friends, as well as the annual beach vacations with both sides of the family —Keri’s favorite tradition. Keri had a wonderful way of embracing life’s adventures—especially the ones dreamed up by Leigh. More often than not, she was all in… even if it occasionally came after a spirited discussion or three.

Keri’s friends appreciated that she was a straight shooter. Whenever she started with, “I don’t mean it bad, but…,” you knew you were about to get the truth—unfiltered, sometimes unsolicited, and probably a little too accurate. It was the verbal equivalent of “brace yourself,” but somehow, those lucky enough to get her advice knew it was out of love and typically right on point… whether they were ready for it or not.

A natural event planner, Keri loved bringing people together. She often hosted family Thanksgiving gatherings, dinner parties, and even found creative ways to celebrate birthdays during COVID-19. She also had a special talent for securing the best seats at The Peace Center, ensuring family and friends could enjoy her favorite shows right alongside her.

Keri will be deeply missed and forever celebrated by her family and friends, who will carry her spirit of joy and resilience with them always. She showed us how to truly live—fully, generously, and with a sense of humor—how to meet life’s challenges with grace and strength, and how to find light even in the hardest moments. One of Keri’s favorite quotes was, “May what you have always be enough,” a sentiment she lived out every single day. And if she were raising a glass with us now, there’s no doubt she’d flash that signature smile and say, “I am pleased!”

Leigh and the family would like to thank the staff and nurses at The Prisma Health Cancer Institute, the staff and nurses at VIA Health Partners (Hospice Care), Dr. Britt Bolemon and Dr. Jeannie Hoffman-Censits along with Dr. Charlotte Lawson for their care and attention to detail during Keri’s cancer journey.

Plans for a celebration of life will be announced in the coming weeks. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in memory of Keri Hall to the Peace Center by calling 864.679.9202 or by visiting https://secure.peacecenter.org/donate/contribute1. Please indicate, whether by phone or online, that the gift is being made in memory of Keri Hall.

Or in lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Keri Hall may be directed to support the Upper Tract Urothelial Cancer research of Dr. Hoffman-Centis at the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. Please make checks payable to Johns Hopkins University. Gifts may be mailed with a memo indicating that this gift is in memory of Keri Hall to the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, 750 E. Pratt Street, Suite 1700, Baltimore, MD 21202 or make a gift online, https://secure.jhu.edu/form/Kimmel