Pioneering missionary Marie Hall dies at 89

Maurice and Marie Hall at their 65th wedding anniversary. Marie Hall, 89, died March 9 “with her loving husband, Maurice, holding her hand,” according to World Christian Broadcasting. (Photo via www.worldchristian.org)

Church members around the globe are celebrating the life of Marie Hall, who died March 9. She was 89.

A memorial service is scheduled at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 17, at the Whittier Church of Christ, 8155 S. Painter Ave., Whittier, Calif. Cards may be addressed to World Christian Broadcasting, 605 Bradley Ct., Franklin, Tenn.

Hall and her husband, Maurice, were missionaries in France and Vietnam and also were active in U.S. mission efforts. Along with other church members, the Halls shared the dream of transmitting the Gospel on radio waves around the globe. In the summer of 1950, the Halls visited with fellow Christians Lowell and Earline Perry in Paris and brainstormed ideas for gospel broadcasting. Six years later — after Lowell Perry completed a doctorate at Northwestern University — he concluded that shortwave was the best medium.

World Christian Broadcasting was born. Maurice Hall was a charter memory of the ministry’s board of directors. Now the Franklin, Tenn.-based ministry broadcasts faith-based programs around the globe from its station, KLNS, in Anchor Point, Alaska. The ministry is nearing completion of a new facility 0n the island of Madagascar. “Please pray with us that this can be accomplished by the end of 2012,” ministry leaders asked on World Christian Broadcasting’s website.

• Feedback
  Two of the sweetest, most gracious people I’ve ever met.

  Lyn Brown Farris

  March, 13 2012

  Marie was a gracious lady. Her husband Maurice was one of the founding administrators of Rochester College (then North Central Christian College). Maurice worked as assistant to the president and taught missions courses for the college from 1959-1964. Right after the collapse of South Vietnam in 1975, Maurice arranged for 13 Vietnamese refuges to enroll at the college. Rochester College has been blessed by a long relationship with this wonderful couple.

  Larry Stewart

  March, 14 2012

  Maurice and Marie Hall served with my parents at the Dellrose Church of Christ in Wichita, KS. Both of my parents have passed on but the memories of the closeness of our 2 families will be forever in my heart. One of the enduring traditions was that on each of their birthdays, the other couple would call and sing ‘Happy Birthday’.
  God bless the memory and continuing life of Marie Hall and God’s comfort and peace be upon Maurice and the Hall family.

  Grant Goodvin

  March, 14 2012

  Maurice and Marie have been inseparable in life, and this must be a great loss for dear Maurice, who has served the Lord with a smile and with conviction for a lifetime. Marie was always by his side. Marie was a sweet woman who loved the Lord and was willing to sacrifice so much to take the gospel to those who needed it. We mourn with Maurice but rejoice in the victory Marie has found in going to be with the Lord.

  Phil Sanders

  March, 14 2012

  Dear Hall family; I am sure you won’t remember me and my husband Frank Hughes from Lansing, Michigan. We worshiped at Kimberly Downs CoC in East Lansing and were very good friends with Kay and Bill Hall before he went into the military. What a sad day when we lost him.
  I am so sorry for for the loss of Marie.
  May The God that we serve continue to hold your hand as you go through this time.
  In Christ,
  Shirley Boorsma

  Shirley (Hughes) Boorsma

  March, 14 2012

  Maurice and Marie have influenced untold 1000s, and I count myself among those blessed by their loving example and friendship. Maurice and Marie traveled to NW Arkansas so Maurice could perform our wedding, and Jan and I count among our fondest memories the time spent with Maurice and Marie on our wedding evening. Fond memories at Delrose, later in Michigan, and through the years when paths crossed. Our heartfelt love to Maurice and the family.

  Bob Young

  March, 14 2012

  Dear Brother Maurice, how sweet to know that Marie has gone to spend eternity with God and Jesus! I know you’ll miss her, but it’s just a short time, humanity-wise, until we all go to be with them. I remember when James and Bill were small, the same as we Hicks kids were, and how we’d enjoy being with them and you and Marie. She was so sweet to me, and always had baked cookies, it seems, waiting for us. I remember sitting and listening to you practice your public speaking, which later became preaching the gospel.
  I remember the story of how you and Dad went to an elders’ meeting to try to get support for you and Marie to go to France, and how Dad had to sort of scold the elders, saying that they ought to be begging you to go, rather than your having to beg them to send you. I’ll miss the knowledge that Marie is there in California with you. My prayers are with you. Love, Lavella

  Lavella Hicks McMillan

  March, 14 2012

  Maurice and Marie represent the best ambassadors from the churches of Christ. They had vision and graciousness. What a combo. I am glad Marie is with God now.

  Scott Lambert

  March, 14 2012

  Brother Hall Baptized me about 3
  7 years ago.He also married me and my wife of 35 years,They are such Great servants of the Lord.Marie will be Missed

  gregg shiroda

  March, 14 2012

  Dearest Friend and Family Members,
  There are no words to express the loss of a spouse. I gave up Ernest in marriage to our Lord this January 6th, 2012. The marriage feast took place at The Home Church this January 18th in the City of Lodi. Ernest and I were to celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary, which seemed but a day, at Hawaii in 2013. I was taking him to an echocardiogram test when I picked him up from work at 1:00 PM, but he died immediately en route by 1:14 PM as our Lord called him. God’s Plan is perfect and we do not question His will, for He careth for His children as no other.
  The various marriage ceremonies and continual commitments you two had were tremendously beautiful blessings, but now God takes Marie as His bride. What joy must there be in walking her to the throne of mercy and grace that endureth forever! Mighty is the King of Kings who’s taken ALL sins upon himself and yet rose from the grave! Because of this selfless act of love, Marie penetrates a gate which cannot hold her to live in courts above. Let us, together, celebrate her return to He that formed her!
  Because He Lives, we can face tomorrow, although you may walk in a fog for months to come, but God never leaves your side. My God of ALL Comfort, be with your spirit today, tomorrow, and in days to come. Adjusting to face the fear of aloneness can be blinding, because Christ robed you in new garments from the very hour you first believed! Stay strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, my beloved dearest friend!
  We shall see the King One Glorious Day, and there Marie and Ernest will stand praising Him, the author and finisher of life, who delivers us into His Everlasting Majestic Light!
  Loving You Always, Anna Marie Valadez-Stolte
  Stockton, CA 95219

  Anna Marie

  March, 15 2012

  Maurice, We are mourning with you. You and Marie have been great servants of the Lord. Your love for our Savior and sacrificial service to Him is admired by all who know you. No one has been greater missionaries for the gospel in so many different cultures.
  I remember when we were on leave from Nigeria, I spoke to one of your classes at Michigan Christian College. Then later it was a joy to be more closely associated with you and Marie when you labored at Allen Park, Michigan and we were at Dearborn.
  The Allen Park congregation continues to speak highly of you and Marie.
  Everyone who knows you will agree that you and Marie have been a wonderful example of sweetness and know that sweetness comes from God being in your lives.

  Glenn Martin

  March, 15 2012

  Maurice, I have many fond memories of you and your family. I cannot really remember not knowing you. I remember the dust street outside your home in Abilene in the late 40s. Marie was such a gentle lady and I well remember her sweet, soft voice. I know she is now with the Lord and in Billy’s arms. Billy and I spent time together when he was at ACC. James was also a special person from my high school days.
  You and Marie made the world a much better place. So many souls are with Jesus because of the love you and she had for Him and for the people of the world. She will be missed by those left behind but welcomed by those who have gone on before her.
  I know God will give you the comfort and strength you will need until you can be with her again. I love you and your family.

  Lorin Watson

  March, 15 2012

  A wonderful lady has gone on to a promised reward. She will be missed, We were treated so well at a dinner with them a few years ago when traveling out west.

  Lewis Armstrong

  March, 17 2012

  Thinking of you. I know you are missing Sister Hall terribly.

  Sue Hardy

  March, 19 2012