IN MEMORY OF MR. RALPH WILLIAM HALL

Mr. BISHOP of Georgia. Madam Speaker, I rise today to honor a great
soldier, dedicated husband, loving father, and loyal friend to many,
Mr. Ralph William Hall. Sadly, Mr. Hall passed away on December 18,
2018. His funeral service will be held on January 5, 2019 at 11 am at
St. Timothy Episcopal Church located at 3601 Alabama Avenue SE,
Washington, D.C. 20020.

Mr. Ralph William Hall was born on January 25, 1919, in Metcalf,
Georgia to the union of Adam and Maggie Franklin Hall. He was the
oldest of five children. At an early age, he moved to Thomasville,
Georgia where he lived with his parents and maternal grandmother.
During this time, he learned to fish, hunt, and perform farm chores.
But, it was also during this time that his unbreakable bond with God
was cemented. He joined St. Mark AME Church and attended every Sunday.
He also attended Allen Normal School, a private Congregational school
where he learned self-discipline and bible study.

A diligent student, Ralph graduated from Douglas High School, where
he served as Senior Class President. He went on to continue his
education at Johnson C. Smith University in Charlotte, North Carolina,
where he earned a degree in Mathematics in 1941. Ralph was drafted into
the United States Army while in college, but was allowed to complete
his degree requirements, then served faithfully for five years. He was
discharged in 1946. He was initiated into the brotherhood of Omega Psi
Phi Fraternity, Inc. and was a life member for 80 years until his
passing.

Following his discharge from the Army, his life would change forever
as he was joined in holy matrimony with his college sweetheart,
Virginia (Ginny) Holder.

He moved his new family to Washington, D.C. and embarked on a career
with the Federal Government that lasted for 35 years. During this time,
two children were born to this union, Douglas and Angela.

Sadly, Ginny became ill and passed in 1962. Mr. Hall was then left
with the awesome task of being a single father. However, as with other
challenges in his life, he was more than ready to meet this one. His
strong and unwavering faith in God led him to become a member of the
Jones United Methodist Church, where he proudly served as Chairman of
the Trustee Board, where he led the completion of the Education
Building along with serving as the Church School Superintendent.

Another major life changing event for him occurred when he was
introduced to Thelma Johnson by a dear Army Buddy and his wife, Milton
and Evelyn Serailee. This led to their marriage in 1965 and the new
family moved to Hillcrest area in Southeast Washington, D.C.

Ralph Hall continued his love for service to humankind as a member of
the Hillcrest Civic Association and as PTA President at Anne Beers
Elementary School. In 1966, he and Thelma joined St. Timothy's
Episcopal Church where he served many roles to include: Lay Reader,
Diocensanis Delegate, Member of the Men of St. Timothy's (Most), and
the Brotherhood of St. Andrews. He truly dedicated his life to the
service of others. And was a constant example of sincerity, loyalty,
and devotion to family.

Madam Speaker, my wife Vivian and I, along with the 730,000
constituents of the Second Congressional District of Georgia, salute
and honor the life of Mr. Ralph William Hall. I ask my colleagues in
the House of Representatives to join us in extending our deepest
condolences to the Hall family during this difficult time of
bereavement. We pray that that they will be consoled and comforted by
an abiding faith and the Holy Spirit in the days, weeks and months
ahead.