Ann Hall

Alice Ann Beam Hall, our “Precious Heart”, passed away peacefully in her home with her family by her side on October 3, 2021 in Eagle Mountain, Utah at the age of 91. Ann was born on August 27, 1930 in Jacksonville, Florida to William David Beam and Maggie Harris. Ann’s parents divorced when she was 3 years old and she spent much of her time with her beloved maternal grandparents, Alice Hill Harris and Aaron Harris, whom she lovingly called “Grandma and Papa”.  Her Mother and Grandparents were her whole world until at the age of 9, Gleonard Alvin Lord married her Mother and became her very own “Daddy Glen”.

She graduated from Robert E. Lee High School in Jacksonville, Florida in 1948. Ann was popular and always was on the go with friends. While in High School she was a member of the Dramatic Club and the Jubliee Singers.  Following High School she attended Stetson University in Deland, Florida where she was elected as an officer in the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority during her freshman year.

Ann married John Franklin Hall Jr. on July 8, 1950. Together they had 3 children, John, Michael and Susan.  They later divorced, but remained friends to support their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren until John’s passing in 2018.

In early 1959 while Ann was pregnant with her third child she became completely paralyzed – she was unable to move or speak any longer. The doctors did not know what had happened to her or what to do. With two young boys at home, she was moved from her hometown of Jacksonville, Florida to a Polio Hospital in Augusta, Georgia. Although she did not have Polio, doctors did not know of any other way to treat her. Ann laid in an iron lung that would breathe for her for over four months. During this time she was only able to communicate through blinking her eyes for yes or no. In September that year her miracle baby girl, Susan, was born. Susan went home to Florida first and Ann followed later. With the help of her family and many physical therapists Ann learned to roll, crawl, sit, walk, talk…all at the same time as Susan. Ann always required the use of a crutch or two, walkers or a wheelchair for the remainder of her life.  Despite all of her physical obstacles and living much of her life in pain, Ann was a remarkable women who never stopped. Her family nicknamed her the “Energizer Bunny”, because no matter what, she found the strength within to keep on going and going.

She was a successful business women.  She owned and operated SueAnn Hosiery Company, Heirloom Treasures and Granny’s Nook Craft Boutique and Shop.  She was the queen of organizing. Ann always put others before herself.  Whether it was putting together a party or talking on the phone for hours with friends, helping someone in need, lending a hand, paying for neighborhood boys to go on missions, being a secret Santa for many, many people, going bargain shopping to make every penny go further so she could spoil her grandkids for birthdays or Christmas.  No matter the situation, Ann wanted to help and share all of the love in her heart.

Ann was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints serving in many capacities including Ward and Stake Relief Society President and Counselor, Visiting Teaching Coordinator, Stake Primary Counselor and Secretary, organizing the ward’s Easter Egg Project in Florida and many other callings.  However, her heart was most happy serving and working as a Genealogist.  She loved seeking after her kindred dead and connecting her ancestors to one another.

Ann was a Family History Center Director three different times in her life. During her first time as a Family History Center Director, she organized trips for the members of her Stake to travel to the newly built Washington D.C. Temple.  She arranged bus and train transportation, hotels and all other details for anyone who wanted to come.  If there was ever anyone unable to attend due to financial concerns, she would always find a way to help them get to the temple.  Because of her knowledge, Ann was asked two other times to work with church headquarters to start new Family History Centers in Jacksonville, Florida and Highland, Utah.

While serving as the Family History Center Director in Jacksonville she created and organized a Family History Conference for all to attend, sponsored by the Church.  This two day Conference was highly successful and was attended by 300+ people, the largest Family History Conference in Northern Florida at that time.  While starting and leading the new Family History Center in Highland, she wanted to host a Conference for those in her area and with the support of many others she organized and brought together yet another exceptional event.  Ann’s love for genealogy was apparent until the end of her life.  Even days before her passing she was discussing and remembering those whom had passed hundreds of years before.

But her greatest love was her family.  She loved to be surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She loved all of her “Precious Hearts”.  Whether she was your Mother, Mama, Grandma or GG (Great-Grandma) you had no doubt that she loved you and that she would always do whatever she could for you.  She leaves behind a legacy of love that will continue to grow here as we continue to love as she loved.

Ann was preceded in death by her loving parents and her beloved grandparents. Ann is survived by sons John (Dena) Franklin Hall III and Michael Glenn Hall; daughter Susan Lee Hall Porter; 7 Grandchildren, John (Jackie), James (Cemre) and Jefferson Hall; Aaron and Sarah Hall, Jennifer and Andrew (Ashley) Porter; 11 Great-Grandchildren, John, Matt, Sylvia, Raechel, William, Madyson, Kirsten, Zoey, Erica, Graysen, and Luke; along with many other beloved family members and cherished friends.

Family and friends are invited to attend the funeral service on Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 1:00pm at the Anderson & Sons Lone Peak Funeral Chapel located at 6141 West 11000 North, Highland, UT 84003. A viewing will be held on Friday, October 8, 2021 from 6:00 – 8:00pm and on Saturday, October 9, 2021 from 11:45 – 12:45pm at the funeral chapel.  Burial will take place at the Pony Express Memorial Cemetery located at 4648 N. Eagle Mountain Blvd, Eagle Mountain, Utah following the funeral service.