Mary Hall

She was born in McKinney, Texas, on November 27, 1948 the only child of Virgil and Frances Stogdill. She enjoyed a happy childhood while attending McKinney public schools. In 1967, Mary attended Stephen F Austin State College. The following year she transferred to Texas Tech University where she majored in Elementary Education. She was an active member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. Upon graduation in 1971, Mary moved to Houston to accept her first teaching assignment.

In 1973, Mary married Hugh L. Payne. They had two sons, Hugh and Scott. After a divorce in 1979, Mary continued teaching and raising her children.

In 1981, Mary visited a Single Parents Class at Tallowood Baptist Church where she met Rudy Hall. Six months later they were married and Mary became a step-mom to Rudy's daughter Stacia. There were many happy memories of the five of them on weekends and holidays.

During her elementary teaching career, Mary became a certified examiner for the Gesell Institute of Human Development for Young Children. She was also a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Honorary Women Teachers Assn. For thirty-seven years, Mary served in public and private schools including Cy-Fair ISD, Grace Church School, the Village School, and Yorkshire Academy.

Mary stayed busy while teaching with other activities such as Boy Scout den mother, Little League mom, Vacation Bible School teacher, summer school teacher, and private tutor.

The family was active at Tallowood church. Rudy and Mary served as church greeters and members of the Praisers department.

In 2008, Mary was diagnosed with cancer. With the attention of the caring staff at MD Anderson, Mary remained "stable" and continued her work until she retired in 2014.

During her retirement, she enjoyed playing bridge, canasta, bunco, barn quilt painting, traveling and being "Mimi" to seven grandchildren.

Mary is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband Rudy; sons Hugh Payne and wife Jenny and Scott Payne and wife Fran;

Step-daughter Stacia and husband James Coker; Grandchildren Haley, Mitchell, Keaton, Holly, Samuel, Jessie, and Chad; Sisters-in-law Zane O'Keefe and Trish Hall; Cousins, nieces, nephews, and many dear friends.