Obituary of Jerry Swanson Hall

Jerry “Swannie” Hall, 77 years old, entered into rest unexpectedly on November 11^th, 2018. He was born March 6^th, 1941 in Landgraff, West Virginia to Gladys Mae Hall and Henry James Meade. Known by his friends as Swannie, he moved to Jacobs Fork, West Virginia in 1954. Until then, he had attended school at Keystone Junior High, and then went to Berwind High. The family moved to Weber City, Virginia in December 1954, where he attended Shoemaker High School in Gate City until Gate City High School opened in 1956.

He played on the first undefeated football team that Shoemaker or Gate City ever had. While in high school, he also played baseball and ran track. Dad said he never was great and didn’t study as hard as he should have, but he had a lot of fun. He graduated from Gate City High School in May of 1959.

He entered the U.S. Army on June 4^th, 1959, serving at Fort Sill, Oklahoma and in Germany until June of 1962. Upon his return he spent two years in the U.S. Army Reserves, before joining the Virginia Army National Guard in 1964. He rose to the rank of Battalion Command Sergeant Major, retiring in 1984 with 25 total years of military service.

Dad started attending Gateway Baptist Church in 1955, which later became First Baptist Church of Weber City. Dad and Mom joined the church in 1967. He taught Sunday school, and served on about all of the committees, and was an ordained Deacon.

Dad started working at Eastman Kodak in August of 1962, working his entire career in the Organic Chemical Division. He retired in September of 1993 with 31 years of service. Dad proudly earned an Associates degree in business from Sneed’s College. Following his retirement from Eastman, he worked as a substitute teacher for Scott County school system from 1993-present.

Under the direction of Coach Harry Fry’s football feeder program for the Gate City Blue Devils, Dad coached for 22 years, the East End Redskins along with Bunk Hommel coaching the West End Colts, Jiggs Willis coaching the Weber City Packers and “Tiny” Roberts and Raymond Miller coaching the Hilton Rams. This program helped lead to multiple Blue Devil undefeated teams and two Virginia State Championships.

We would like to thank Dad’s buddies that have taken care of him since Mom’s passing two years ago: Junior Hensley, Bob Bays, Bob Givens, and the rest of the Pickin’ Parlor gang. We also want to thank his church family, whose names are too numerous to mention, but have loved and supported him throughout his adult life – you know who you are.

He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy J. Harris and they had three sons. Swannie lovingly took care of Nancy, until her passing in October of 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents. Swannie is survived by his children, Dewayne and Robin, Craig and Sharon, and Jerry and Tina. He is also survived by his grandchildren, Kristen (Lee), Daniel (Cesar), Natasha (Neal), Seth (Danielle), Bo and Drew; Great grandchildren: Emma (Joey), Cole and Levi; Kasey and Kilie; and Wiley. Siblings: Raymond Meade (Ann), Nancy Clipse (Cloyd), Rodney Meade (Paula); along with several nieces and nephews.

At Dad’s request, because he said that he would be in a happy place, he wanted his funeral service to be happy, not sad.

Visitation will be at First B aptist Church of Weber City, Virginia on Wednesday, November 14^th from 5:00-7:00 pm. A funeral service will follow with Dr. Lester Morelock and Mike Castle officiating. Military Honors will follow and will be conducted by the Virginia Army National Guard along with American Legion Hammond Post#3/265.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11am on Thursday, November 15, 2018 at Holston View Cemetery with family and friends serving as pallbearers. Those wishing to attend are asked to meet at the cemetery by 10:50 am.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Seeds to Branches Campaign at 155 Shady Elm Lane Weber City, VA 24290.

Carter-Trent/Scott County Funeral Home is serving the Hall family.