(This week, the Journal spotlights Crenshaw County resident Ernie Pearl Hall, who was born in 1920.)

Special to the Journal

Ernie Pearl Hall, a former resident of Luverne, who currently resides at Hillview Terrace Health and Rehab in Montgomery, was born Jan. 7, 1920 to Mr. and Mrs. Charlie Lowe of the Chapel Hill Community. She graduated from Luverne High School in 1939 and was married to Granville (Joe) Hall in 1941. They have two children, Amy Jo (Morris) Boyd of Snowddoun and James Alvin Hall who died in November of 2003. Her grandchildren include Barry Boyd, Stacey Boyd Nestor and Rosemary Hall Zenor. Her great grandchildren are Sara and Josh Boyd and Emily and Melissa Nestor.

Hall worked at Boss Manufacturing Co in Greenville for 13 years during the '50's and '60's. She then returned home to work on the family farm. After the death of her husband in 1968, she continued to operate the family farm until 1984. She moved to Luverne and worked part-time at Con-Agra for 13 years until she was 72 years old.

She is the oldest living member of the Chapel Hill Baptist Church where she was recently honored for her 65 years of service to the church. She was a member of the Luverne Nutrition Center where she enjoyed visiting with her friends, dinging and playing dominoes. She was president of the Golden Age Singers and spent many hours singing for the residents at the local nursing home and at many church and social events. She never missed a singing if she was able to attend.

She says the hardest thing she has ever endured is losing her husband at age 51 and her son at the age of 59. She had five major surgeries in 2004 that included two broken hips. She is in Hillview Terrace to be near her daughter and her family. She has a very good attitude about being there and is loved by all the wonderful staff at this excellent facility. She enjoys the activities, especially bingo and the outside activities. She is lovingly referred to by the staff as "The Queen". She has been a resident there for 10 months.

She was selected as Miss Hillview Terrace 2005 on May 12 of this year.

Seven residents from the 143 bed capacity facility were chosen by the staff to compete. The dining room was beautifully decorated with an arch and walkway of blue and white balloons. ROTC Cadets from Carver High School served as escorts and also provided entertainment. Four outside judges consisting of a doctor, toe teachers with Master's degrees and a nurse selected the winner. Hall looked regal in her beautiful purple dress. Her family, including Morris and Amy Boyd, Stacey and Tim Nestor, Emily and Melissa, and Rosemary Zenor were there to cheer her on. Each contestant was asked two questions. One of Hall's was "To what do you attribute your long life?' Her answer was "Good, clean, honest Christian living. I Have never smoked nor drank. There is my family to confirm that!"

Hall was crowned with a beautiful tiara, a large trophy, a banner and six long stem American Beauty Roses. Refreshments were served to many families and friends present.

She has been a role model not only for her daughter, Amy, but also for the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her granddaughter, Stacy Nestor, recently read a letter at her 85th surprise birthday party and expressed how excited she has always been about seeing "Mam-Ma". She also expressed the love she, Barry and Rosemary had for her and how they always enjoyed going to visit her. She said her Christian beliefs served as a role model for her and she is trying to pass those on to her children. Amy said of her mother that she has never said a curse word.

Hall was very disappointed recently to learn that the Class of 1939 reunion will not be held this year because there are very few left to attend. She never missed a reunion.

Hall misses her friends and would like to hear from them. Her phone number is 334-272-8354.