Joseph M. Hall

Joseph Marcell Hall, son of the late Richard Baines and Esther O. Diggs was born on July 1, 1948 in Baltimore, Maryland. “Bookie” as he was affectionately known by family and friends (because he was a diligent reader) went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, October 21, 2020. Joseph received his education in the Baltimore City Public School System. He attended Paul Laurence Dunbar high School and because of his love for basketball and his athletic abilities and competitiveness he became their star basketball player leading them to victory after victory. Bookie was also known as “jumping Joe Hall” by his teammates and student body. He graduated from Dunbar High School in 1967 and had remained a true “Dunbar Poet” and was immensely proud of his Alma Mater! Through his hard work and perseverance, he won a 4-year scholarship in Basketball at the Virginia Union University HBCU. Joseph was employed with John Hopkins, The Continental Can Company, Allied Chemical, the Chemlog Chemical company. Joseph was baptized and received the Holy Ghost at the First Apostolic Faith Church under the leadership of the late Bishop Winfield Showell. Joseph faithfully served under the Men’s Usher Board. He married Lorraine and out of that union they were blessed with one son Eric Gerrod Hall. He would go on to marry the love of his life Marcelene (Griffin) under the Leadership of Apostle Franklin Cornelius Showell on September 27, 2003. Joseph was preceded in death by: seven siblings, Garnetta Hall, Robert Bydume, George, Sheila, Bennie, Gerard and Zelda Diggs; two special aunts, Dorothy Adams and Lenora Hall; and one uncle, Jerome Rodger. Joseph leaves to cherish his fond memories his loving and devoted wife of 17 years, Marcelene Hall; two sons, Brian Marcell Hall and Eric Gerrod Hall; four grandchildren, Brian Jr., Nikia, Joshua and Nicholas M.; one great-granddaughter, Gionna; surviving siblings, two sister, Valjean Frierson and Joselyn Witherspoon (Steve); two uncles, James Rodgers (Francine) and Richard Rodgers (Darlene); three sisters-in-law, Marie (Griffin), Peggy (Griffin), Constance (Pulley) and Vanessa (Johnson); one brother-in-law, John Griffin, Jr. (Helen); a loving and devoted great niece and caregiver Courtney Griffin; and a host of family and friends.

Tributes

Joseph M. Hall

July 1, 1948 - October 21, 2020