Ethel N. Hall

Ethel was born in Olustee, Florida on November 12, 1926 to Sheldon Newbern, Sr. and Gussie Whitty Newbern. She graduated from Auburndale High School and went on to attend Florida State College for Women which, in her junior year, became Florida State University where she graduated in 1948. She was an active member of Murray Hill United Methodist Church for 70 years where she volunteered in the Nursery Department for decades, sang in the choir, was active with the United Methodist Women, the Fidelis Sunday School Class and Young at Heart. She enjoyed visiting shut-ins and delivering Meals on Wheels. At home she loved gardening, working in the yard and swinging in the backyard swing with her beloved Shih Tzu, Sandie.

Ethel loved children as evidenced by her 33 years of teaching school. She taught in Auburndale, FL, Savanah, GA, Tampa, FL and Jacksonville, FL at West Riverside, Susie Tolbert, and Ruth N. Upson Elementary Schools where she touched the lives of many 3rd graders. She was a member of Alpha Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi Sororities for educators.

She is predeceased by her husband of 57 years, David Therrell Hall, Sr., her parents, Sheldon Newbern Sr. and Gussie Whitty Newbern, her brothers Sheldon Newbern, Jr. and John Newbern, Sr., her son-in-law, Jerry Knoepfel and great grandson, Grant Dedrick. She is survived by her three children, David T. Hall, Jr. (Mary), Dianne Hall Knoepfel, both of Jacksonville, and Denese Hall Fields (Mike) of St. Johns; eight grandchildren Tammy Van Nort (Jon) of Jacksonville, David Hall of Bradenton, Lisa Dedrick (Scott) of St. Johns, Matthew Knoepfel, Joshua Staples (Megan), Benjamin Fields (Kayla), all of Jacksonville, Adam Fields of Brooklyn, NY, and Richard Fields of St. Johns.; ten great-grandchildren Corey Frattallone (Tanisha) of Port Charlotte, Dean Hughes (Mark) of Scotland, Dustin Van Nort (Tiffany), Brandon Van Nort, Emma Dedrick, Abby Dedrick, Connor Dedrick, Cecelia Staples, Henry Staples, and Ella Fields all of Jacksonville; eight great-great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank Community Hospice for their loving and compassionate care over the last year.

A visitation for Ethel will be held Monday, February 3, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Murray Hill United Methodist Church, 4101 College Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A celebration of life will occur Monday, February 3, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 4101 College Street, Jacksonville, FL 32205. A committal will occur Monday, February 3, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at Riverside Memorial Park, 7242 Normandy Boulevard, Jacksonville, FL 32205.