Joanne E. Hall

Joanne E. Hall, age 87, passed away peacefully at her residence on Saturday, February 27, 2021. Born October 31, 1933 in Massillon, OH, Mrs. Hall was a resident of Bartow since 1980. The eldest of six children, she will be remembered as a loving wife, sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, who was committed to serving those around her. As a teenager, she was able to study at the Ringling College of Art and Design, igniting a lifelong passion for painting and drawing. Her artwork hangs in houses around the country, proudly displayed by her children, grandchildren and friends. Later, as a mother of four, she returned to college and earned her bachelor's degree in Education from Florida Atlantic University. She became a teacher in the Broward County school system and was a passionate advocate for teaching reading to those who struggled in traditional systems. She went above and beyond to meet each individual student's needs and made it her mission to ensure that every child who came into her classroom would be reading before they left. As a member of First Baptist Church, Bartow, she taught Sunday School classes, was a dedicated member of the prayer life of the church and was active in many of the church's community outreach efforts. For over twenty years, she faithfully served in a ministry to the inmates at the Bartow jail, visiting weekly and ensuring they knew they were not forgotten at Christmas. She also served on the Board of the Women's Care Center, providing a safe haven for abused women and children in Polk County. Over the years, she and her husband, Harvey, opened their house to countless men and women who needed a safe place to stay and to be assured that they were loved children of God. She is survived by her loving family, including her husband of 68 years, Harvey Hall, her son, Tom Hall and wife Karen; her daughter, Cathy Keim and husband Steve; her son, John Hall and wife Inés; and her son, Phillip Hall. She is also survived by her 12 grandchildren, Gabe Hall, Ben Keim, Seth Hall, Miriam Grunert, Kate Stephens, Reba Knight, Rachel Hall, Paul Keim, Jonathan Keim, David Lahr, Ginger Moore, and Holly Gonzalez and her 17 great-grandchildren, Abigail, Evelyn, Teddy, Charlotte Anne, Tzipora, Aaron, Jane, Asher, Cora Rose, Eleanor, Naomi Grace, Alan, Tristan, Erica, Carlos, Gabriella, and Colina. Family will receive friends Saturday, March 6, 2021 from 10 - 11 A.M. at Bartow First Baptist Church, 410 E. Church St, funeral services will follow at 11:00 A.M. at the Church. Interment will be held at Wildwood Cemetery, Bartow. Memorial donations may be given to the Women's Care Center of Bartow, P.O. Box 1041, Bartow, Florida, 33831 or give online at churchservicecenter.org and designate in the note for the Women's Care Center in honor of Joanne Hall or the First Baptist Church Food Pantry, 410 East Church Street, Bartow, Florida, 33830 or https://fbcbartow.org/give/ .