Ruth Elise Hall

In Loving Memory of Ruth Elise Hall

Ruth Elise Hall, a cherished wife, loving mother, adored grandmother and amazing great-grandmother, passed away on April 28, 2025, at 6:35 in the evening in Temple, Texas, at the age of 89 years, 6 months and 24 days. She was born on October 4, 1935, in Duncan, Oklahoma, to Joseph Samuel and Grace Montgomery. Ruth grew up in Duncan, where she met and married James Arnold Hall on December 22, 1951.

After graduating from Duncan High School, Ruth moved to San Diego, California, to join Arnold, where he was stationed with the Navy.  While in the Navy, they welcomed two children, Michael Edward and Patricia Elaine. Ruth supported Arnold unquestioningly while he was overseas during the Korean War, then later, as Arnold pursued his undergraduate degree in electrical engineering at the University of Oklahoma. Arnold then took a position with Standard Oil, later known as Chevron, and the family moved to the San Francisco Bay area. There, Ruth embraced the life of a suburban mother, managing school activities, piano lessons, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and weekend trips to the lakes and mountains of northern California.

In 1964, the family moved to Cúcuta, Colombia, South America, where Arnold oversaw new construction work. In 1969, they relocated to London, England, for another assignment. With their two children in high school, Ruth joined the American Women’s Club and enjoyed exploring the sights and history of London and the surrounding areas. She particularly loved visiting old churches and creating brass rubbings of the tomb covers. Ruth mastered the subway system and felt confident traveling alone anywhere in the city. The family took full advantage of their time in Europe, traveling to Spain, France, Holland, Scotland, Wales and Italy.

In 1973, another assignment brought them back to London. With Michael and Patty now in college, Ruth and Arnold went alone. Ruth spent much of her time exploring the city and southern England, while together they traveled to Morocco, Greece, Germany and Portugal. In mid-1974, they prepared to move to New Brunswick, Canada. Before leaving Europe, they took a memorable tour of the USSR, visiting Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev and Uzbekistan.

In Canada, Ruth and Arnold lived in Rothesay, near St. John, New Brunswick, where they experienced a frigid winter. They bought ice skates, learned to skate on the frozen ponds, and enjoyed drinking hot chocolate in the little shacks set up around the pond. They also used their proximity to explore historical sites in New England, traveling as far south as Virginia and west to Niagara Falls.

The family returned to California in late 1975, and, in 1976, purchased a house in the Moraga Country Club. In Moraga, they joined several organizations and developed deep friendships. After Arnold’s retirement in 1986, they continued to travel extensively, visiting Australia, New Zealand, many countries in South America, Africa and East Asia. When grandchildren joined the family, Ruth cherished extended stays with them during school holidays, trips to the pool, sharing delicious food, road trips around the western United States, and teaching them all she knew. Her love for her grands and great-grands was never in question.

In 2005, Ruth and Arnold moved to Georgetown, Texas, where Ruth enjoyed new friends and the abundance of wild animals that could be seen from her back doors and windows. Ruth and Arnold celebrated their 73rd wedding anniversary in December 2024. Love and commitment gave her a life full of good things and adventures beyond any childhood dreams. Her love and commitment to family will be missed but not forgotten. Her sneaky teases and pragmatic views formed both ends of a personality that was infectious and endearing. She leaves a tremendous void in the lives of those who knew her best. She will be deeply missed.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph Samuel and Grace Montgomery, her sister Mary E. Gourney (the late Edward J. Gourney), and her son Michael E. Hall. She is survived by her siblings JoAnn Giddens (the late Grover C. Giddens), Samuel Montgomery, and Lynn Montgomery (Cindy Montgomery); her daughter Patricia E. Snow (Michael V. Snow); grandchildren Carrisa D.S. Lallatin (Jay E. Lallatin, II), Morgan Jernigan Hall (Amanda Jo Pavlíček); and great-grandchildren Nathan, Jacob and Teagan.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at 11 a.m. at The Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery, 11463 State Highway 195, Killeen, Texas, followed by an Open House at 
2 p.m., 115 Travis Drive, Georgetown, Texas.