The Portsmouth Daily Times (OH) - April 11, 2008
Evelyn Mougey Hall of Wheelersburg, Ohio, died Wednesday, April 9, 2008, transcending to her heavenly home to join her husband of 63 years, who passed away Oct. 11, 2007.
She was born June 8, 1922, in Minford, Ohio, a daughter of the late Samuel Mougey and Gernie LaFaye Lyons Mougey Howard.
Evelyn was preceded in death by the love of her life and cherished husband, Edward R. Hall, whom she married Jan. 25, 1944. Having lost her father while in college, she also was preceded in death by stepfather, friend and "Papaw" to Suzanne, Fred Howard.
Surviving are one daughter, Suzanne Shelpman (and Joe Harris) of Portsmouth.
Evelyn was a graduate of Rio Grande College at the age of 18, after being double promoted twice in Minford School District and graduating class valedictorian. Few people knew she was an accomplished violinist, played the clarinet, and her family enjoyed the friendship of inventor Orville Wright.
She was employed for 37 years as an educator in Scioto County, serving mainly as a fourth-grade teacher in the Minford and Wheelersburg school districts. Evelyn was one of the first female principals in Ohio, serving Madison School.
Among the many thousands of lives touched during her career and life, Evelyn was proud of the student teachers she mentored from The Ohio State University, Ohio University and Marshall University. Many of the beginning teachers developed a lifelong relationship with Evelyn, and brought her pride as they entered their own classrooms.
Evelyn's passion for teaching lives on in her students. She believed each child had special gifts, and they,in turn, were taught to believe in themselves. This also was evident in her role as "Coach Hall's" wife, and his mighty Minford Falcons of the late 1940s and member of Scioto County Retired Teacher's Association and Ohio Retired Teacher's Association.
Known by her radiant and ever-present smile, Evelyn leaves a legacy of kindness, wit, self-assurance and love for each one of us. Her keen sense of humor enriched everyone. Evelyn approached life seriously, exuberantly, yet quietly and without the need of assurance beyond herself. She taught her daughter the way to be remembered is to approach life through nameless acts of care, of kindness and of love.
She and Ed loved entertaining friends. Evelyn's balance of work, home, social events, church and family always will be remembered. She counted her many, many friends among her most treasured blessings. She loved golf, dancing and playing cards. She and Ed enjoyed many winters during their retirement in Smyrna Beach, Fla.
She was a 60-year member of the Methodist faith, belonging first to Minford Methodist Church. For the past 45 years, Evelyn was a member of Wheelersburg United Methodist Church, where she recently was touched by the congregation's effort to raise funds for a church van in her husband's memory and her honor. The van will benefit youth participants in the Shining Light program and the senior parishioners in the Young at Heart program.
With dignity and courage, Evelyn faced the heartbreaking Alzheimer's disease for more than 15 years. She received loving care from her husband and daughter throughout the illness. The quality of her life was sustained in her last days because of the love and care given by the staff of Wesley Village.
Evelyn defied the disease's commonly-held conceptions. The disease did not define her. Rather, her humor, joy and life continued to be an inspiration. She brilliantly demonstrated the most treasured memories aren't ones we keep in our minds; instead, we hold them in our hearts.
Friends may call at Harrison-Pyles Funeral Home in Wheelersburg from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday. Funeral services will immediately follow at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Perry Prosch officiating. Private interment will be in Sunset Memorial Gardens in Franklin Furnace.
Memorial donations may be made to Scioto County Retired Teachers Association Scholarship Fund, 1109 24th St., Portsmouth, OH 45662.
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