Janie Lynn Hall

Janie Lynn Valentine Hall was born July 26, 1935, in Sinton, TX. Her most pleasant childhood memories were times spent with her mother, Melbourne McGill Valentine, and their close friends in Milford, KS. Janie spent summers, vacations, and any time needed with three elderly sisters: Arfie, Esther, and Eva Condray. The three never married and lived in one home in Milford their whole lives. Janie enjoyed many years and wonderful memories of fishing, cooking and growing flowers.

Janie graduated from New Hanover High School, Wilmington, NC in 1953 and Charlotte Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1956. During nursing school, she met an Air Force man on weekend leave and in time knew he was the love of her life. She and Harold Hall were married on Dec 15,1956 in Charlotte. After graduation, Janie worked as an Operating Nurse at Charlotte Memorial Hospital.

Thomas Harold was born on Jan 14,1958 and Cara Lynn on July 22, 1959. Janie was a homemaker but then worked as Industrial Nurse at Sears in Charlotte while Harold attended NC Highway Patrol Training. After this, the small family moved to Salisbury, NC, close to where Harold was stationed. Janie resumed homemaking life in the rural area with volunteer work and an occasional nurse job. Janie and Harold always had a passion for outdoor life and enjoyed years of camping. They did make the local paper when they hiked the Appalachian Mountain Trail for 5 solid days. 

In the mid to late 1960’s, God called Janie and Harold to join Wycliffe Bible Translators. They sold everything they owned and moved to Mexico for the better part of 2 years. They had previously worked with MYF youth groups, and Wycliffe gave them the job of “Houseparents.” In Mitla, Oaxaca, Mexico, they kept a home base where fellow Wycliffe missionaries would leave their school age kids for a few weeks at a time to attend school, while the parents went out in even more rural Mexican tribes to translate the Bible.

During the summer months, Janie & Harold attended a Wycliffe program in Norman, OK. They worked with kids of all ages whose parents were going through training classes. After the third summer trip to Norman, Wycliffe asked Janie and Harold to stay in Oklahoma City and host a home where high school children could stay for higher level education. This was a 6-year assignment with a house full of as many as 13 teenagers. 

While teenagers were in school, Janie and Harold began attending Central State University. Janie received her Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 1976 and Master’s Degree in Education (Counseling Psychology) in 1977. Around the same time, Wycliffe moved the children’s home to Dallas, TX, and Janie and Harold decided to stay in Oklahoma. Janie began working for Oklahoma City Schools as a Temporary Evaluator and then a Title I Evaluator. 1979-1990 she was Senior Research Assoc/Testing Specialist for Oklahoma City Schools.

Also around 1977, as the empty nesting began, Janie and Harold took up sailing on Lake Hefner. After several boats of different sizes, they joined the Oklahoma City Boat Club. They served in various positions including Entertainment Committee, and Harold was Commodore one year. Of course, Janie was right hand assistant. They became Regional Race Officers and spent many hot weekends on the Boat Club Race Committee Boat. Wonderful friendships were formed when the women had their solo sailboat regattas and then met in the off-season months for weekend quilting sessions. 

Grandson Michael Hall arrived in 1991 and granddaughter Mandi Lynn in 1994. Five great grandchildren also enriched their lives: Cameron, Tinley, Jaxon, Malachi, and Maddox.

Janie is preceded in death by beloved spouse Harold Hall, mother Melbourne Valentine, and son Thomas Harold Hall. Heartfelt appreciation to the following organizations: Wycliffe Bible Translators, Metropolitan Baptist Church, First United Methodist of Harrah, Oklahoma City Boat Club, Oklahoma City Schools, Arbor House Independent Living and Morada Assisted Living. Thank you for all your love, help and support. Donations in Janie’s honor can be made to www.mealsonwheelsokc.org