Obituary

     Paulette Hall was born on July 1, 1951, in Duplin County, North Carolina, to the late Thelma Southerland Hall and the late Joe Tim Hall, Jr. She was born the second oldest of this union and found great joy in becoming a nurturer and protector for her younger siblings. She was reared in a spiritual household where loving God was instilled in her upbringing and identified as the center of her foundation. At an early age, Paulette attended New Bethel AME Church in Magnolia, North Carolina, where many of her spiritual teachings were founded. She remained a loyal presence until she relocated from North Carolina to New Jersey, where she resided for fifty-five years.

     Paulette loved residing in New Jersey, but she never abandoned her love for the South. North Carolina was home, and always her place to go for renewal, fun, and much needed rest. It was always a joy for her to visit the many family and friends that remained essential jewels in her life.

     Paulette was educated in the Duplin County School System and completed her education with the Essex County School System in Newark, New Jersey. Her professional career spanned thirty years of employment with the New Jersey Board of Education until her retirement in 2021. She was a tenacious worker, and her career allowed her to work with countless youth, where she enjoyed guiding, encouraging, and teaching them life skills as they matured through various grade levels. Working with the youth was truly one of the highlights of her career. She often would say, "Do they even know my name?" as she became affectionately known as "Miss" by the youth that she passionately served.

     Paulette not only enjoyed her career working with the youth, but she also enjoyed her weekends with friends at their favorite haunts, such as the Longshoremen Hall, Mercedes and Mink, Richie's, and a few others — but her favorite place was the Lion's Den, where not only did she bartend, but she got to share her gift of cooking. Cooking was without a doubt her love language. Paulette was an exceptional cook, and preparing meals for those she loved was a joy that she so freely shared with many. Preparing a delicious meal was not only reserved for holidays, but for many days throughout the week. It was not uncommon to find family and friends — sometimes strangers too — sitting around her table awaiting a meal always prepared with love. She was a constant presence at ShopRite, to the point that she should have had stock in the place, given how much time she spent there. Another favorite pastime was shopping. Every opportunity to shop was another perfect find to add to her already fabulous wardrobe. She was an amazingly stylish dresser — a woman of distinction. Many of the outfits she adorned were often accompanied by a hat, which she wore with much grace and sophistication. Wearing hats was her unspoken signature of distinction, as she acquired many shapes, colors, and sizes over the years. She was such a stylish woman that wearing beautiful clothes was truly one of her many trademarks. She enjoyed traveling and was an avid viewer of the game show Jeopardy. She was a proud supporter of the American Heart Association and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. She possessed a heart of caring for others. She was a devoted mother and a constant, consistent, and loving sibling and friend. To know her was to know her courageous spirit. She was truly a determined and self-sufficient woman who never settled for giving up. She believed in what was possible and never wavered, even as her health began to decline. She loved life and she loved living. We find comfort in knowing that she now rests in the arms of her Lord and Savior. She is safely home.

     Paulette's faith was her most precious love. She loved God and was a faithful member of New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. It was there that her faith grew and her love for God expanded. She loved attending church and sharing the many blessings that God had bestowed upon her life. One of the many scriptures she held close to her heart was Philippians 4:6: "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." Her Bible remained open to the pages of Psalm 91, which she found much comfort in, knowing that it was her "call to confidence" in God. She was assured that God was her divine protector, place of refuge, and the answer to all her prayers.

     Paulette leaves a legacy of love and memories to her children: son Marco Hall of Newark, New Jersey, and daughter Stephanie Hall of Elizabeth, New Jersey; four siblings, Glenda Hall, Agnes Mays (Ned), and brother Joe Hall, all of North Carolina, and sister Sylvia Hall of Ohio. She is also survived by one aunt, Rebecca Davidson; sister-in-law Barbara Ashley Hall; ten nieces and nephews; eight great-nieces and nephews; godsons Jacque Moore and Quan Williams; and a host of relatives and friends who will miss her dearly.

     Paulette was predeceased by her maternal grandmother, Annie B. Southerland; Parents, Thelma Southerland Hall and Joe Tim Hall, Jr.sisters Shirlean Atkinson and Barbara Hall; and brother Enoch C. Hall.