On Sunday, August 6, 2023, our beloved father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, Robert Lee Hall Jr. answered God’s call from earthly labor to heavenly rest. He was born on April 7, 1953, to the late Robert Lee Hall Sr., and Elizabeth Hall in Williamsburg, VA.
Rob, as he preferred to be called, was educated in the Williamsburg-James City County Public School System, and graduated from James Blair High School in 1971. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1973. While stationed at Holloman Air Force Base in Alamogordo, NM, he married Verna Lee Hall-Banks and from this union there are two children Kory Hall and Brigetta Hall. Rob retired from Joint Base Langley Eustis (formerly Fort Eustis) in 2017 after 39 years of service.
Rob accepted Christ and was baptized at an early age. His musical journey began at age five playing the piano and serving as the choir accompanist at Oak Grove Baptist Church in Williamsburg by age 10. He also played the saxophone, oboe, and clarinet in the school band and organized the “Angelic Voices of Faith” in 1970. During his military service, Rob traveled around the world singing and performing in bands and at churches including the Gospel Choir at Hahn Air Force Base in Germany and the prestigious Air Force talent showcase, “Tops in Blue.” Following his honorable military discharge, he returned to Virginia and became a musician/Minister of Music at Colossian Baptist Church where he served for approximately 20 years and played for a group called “Rejoicing” for 25 years. During this time, he founded community choirs including the “Rob Hall Ensemble” with the late Steve Borum and “Rob Hall and the United Fellowship Choir,” which has performed throughout the community for more than 25 years.
An anointed musician, singer, and choir director, Rob used his gifts to uplift the name of Jesus Christ throughout the community providing music for weddings, programs, church services and celebrations and to bring comfort to the bereaved. In addition to Colossian, he served at Kingsmill on the James, Living Waters Christian Fellowship, Choir Director for the Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association, First Baptist Church Hampton, Emanuel Baptist Church, New Beech Grove Baptist Church, Mt. Lebanon Baptist Church-Suffolk, Carter Funeral Home, and Love Christian Church. At the time of his passing, he served as Minister of Music at True Vine Baptist Church in Newport News.
Rob and his ministry were an inspiration to his family, friends, and everyone who served under his leadership. He loved the Lord and serving Him with excellence was his calling and what he loved to do—a true servant and Minister of Music. His life and work exemplified his favorite scripture, Galatians 6:9 – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” In spite of his great musical talent and gifts, Rob was a humble person, always giving glory and honor to God for everything he accomplished. He was the epitome of class and the spirit of excellence in ministry was also evident in his personal life. He lived life to the fullest with a sense of fun and adventure that was contagious and enjoyed travel, good food, good music, and most of all, spending time with his beloved family and friends. Rob touched so many people, and we all will miss him dearly.
He leaves to cherish his memory, loving children, Kory (Trisha) and Brigetta Hall; grandchildren, Brandon Hall and Chelsey Hall; devoted sisters, Verne Parker (Floyd), Barbara Wright (Clinton), and Shearline Melvin (Irvin); and loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and the True Vine Baptist Church family.
