Carol Ann Hall

Carol Ann Hall, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend, and “Mama Hall” to many, won her battle against Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) and joined God’s heavenly orchestra on December 12, 2021.

Carol was born June 25, 1937 to Weldon and Margaret Clack in Gainesville, TX.  Her lifelong love of music began at the age of five when her mother bought her first piano to keep her occupied while her father served in World War II.  Her talent advanced quickly and she was playing the organ at church service at age 12.  Carol attended East Texas State University and graduated with a degree in music.  She taught for several years in North Texas before moving to her new hometown of Midland, TX.  She met the love of her life, Gary Hall, in Midland in May 1963 and they were married May 22, 1964.  Together they had three beautiful daughters; Becky, Carrie, and Kristin.

Carol was an involved member of First United Methodist Church and later St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.  At First Methodist she served as Care Coordinator and started an Alzheimer Patient Daycare Program to give caregivers a break and was instrumental in starting the Area Methodist Outreach Service (AMOS) that serves the homeless population in Midland. She was a youth director, accompanist for the choir, church pianist, church organist, and served on nearly all operational and fundraising committees over her many faithful years.  She was a proud member of the Texas Ding-A-Lings hand bell and piano trio and traveled the country bringing smiles and joy.  At St. Luke’s she was most proud of starting “Love Notes” which allowed people to come to the church one night a week for meditation and  prayer while listening to her beautiful piano music.

Over a 30+ year career, Carol mentored and taught music to thousands of elementary, junior high and high school students in Midland.  Many of her former students from Sam Houston, Travis, Goddard, Alamo, Abell, Lee Freshman and Lee High School fondly remember Carol as their all-time favorite teacher.  She joined the music department at Midland Lee High School in 1992 as assistant choir director.  She never hesitated to share her God given musical and creative talents not only at the piano and organ keyboard, but also through the creation of countless programs performed by her beloved students and church choirs.  Carol retired from the LHS music department in 1997 but that was not the end of her contributions to the community.  For many years following, she continued to accompany musical performances, blessing congregations with her beautiful hymns, and providing music and pet therapy to Alzheimer’s patients at Manor Park in Midland.

Carol was the Midland Community Ambassador to Pakistan in 1963 and Midland Downtown Lions Club Sweetheart for many years.  Through the years she has been recognized for her many contributions to the community from organizations including the City of Midland, Altrusa Club, Girls Scouts of America, Samaritan Counseling Center, Who’s Who Among American Teachers, First United Methodist Church, St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, Midland Independent School District, Parent Teacher Association, Area Methodist Outreach, and many others.

Always the organizer, Carol was quick with a rhyming verse for anyone needing a clever invitation.  Carol was always planning and organizing the next family reunion for her cousins she loved so much.  The most recent was in June in Granbury with many of her Slagle family.  She and Gary always enjoyed opening their home on Christmas Eve to scores of family and friends for food, fun, Christmas carols and always ending with the reading of the Christmas story and Oh Holy Night.  She will be remembered by many who were blessed by Carol and Gary’s Christmas Eve tradition for over 50 years.

Carol is survived by her husband, Gary Hall – Granbury, TX; two sisters Dianne (Mark) Prothro -Wichita Falls, TX, Janet (Bob) Tefertiller – Itasca, TX; three daughters Becky (Cary) Billingsley – Midland, TX, Carrie (Kent) Adams – Fort Worth, TX, and Kristin (Anne Starr) Hall – Granbury, TX; seven grandchildren Nathan (Erin) Billingsley – Boerne, TX, Taylor (Emilie) Billingsley – Midland, TX, Jackson Adams and Hallie Adams – Fort Worth, TX,  Matthew Recker – Stamford, CT, Brianne Recker – Madrid Spain, and Caitlin Recker – Salt Lake City, UT and three great grandchildren Sadie Billingsley – Boerne, TX, Jack Billingsley and Charlotte (Charlie) Billingsley – Midland, TX, many nieces, nephews, cousins, and the children born of her love of music and mentoring.

A special thank you from our family to the caregivers at Hospice Plus for the care they so lovingly provided to us all during her later days.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the ALS Therapy Development Institute (www.als.net), Alzheimer’s Association (www.ALZ.org), or St. Luke’s United Methodist Church – Music Ministry (www.stlukesumcmidland.org).

A  Celebration of Carol’s life will be held 2:00pm, Saturday, February 19, 2020 at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church in Midland.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.