Rhoda L. Hall

RHODA LYNN HALL, daughter of the late Mary J. Moore (neé Hall) and Edison Acres, was born on March 15, 1957 in Baltimore, Maryland. Rhoda departed this life on July 13, 2020 after an eight-year battle with Early-onset Alzheimer’s. Rhoda attended All Saint’s Church in Baltimore. After attending Forest Park High School, Rhoda earned her GED by taking night classes with her mother. Rhoda and her mother both earned their GED’s at the same ceremony. This was one of the many instances of the bond that Rhoda shared with her mother. Afterwards, Rhoda got a job working at Friedler’s Nursing Home because of her caring nature. In 1977, Rhoda left Friedler’s Nursing Home to begin working for the Mass Transit Administration, also known as the MTA. At the MTA, Rhoda worked as a bus driver and ticket handler. In her roles with the MTA, Rhoda made a warm impression on countless customers and co-workers. Rhoda continued to work for the MTA for 35 years and retired from there in 2012. In her 20’s, Rhoda modeled for the Travis Winkey Modeling Agency and was featured in a number of fashion shows where her family and friends would come and cheer her on. Rhoda would often take shopping trips out of town as far as New York to find shoes and clothes to fit her tall stature. She always took pride in her appearance. Rhoda’s number one love was music, particularly oldies, funk, and jazz music. For a time, she even dreamed of playing the violin. If you wanted to make Rhoda smile, you would just play some music, especially Michael Jackson, Luther Vandross, Frankie Beverly and Maze, or Boney James, who were among her favorites. Rhoda rarely missed a Jazz festival; she knew of them all. Rhoda’s other interests included a love of reading, shopping, collecting art, dancing, photography, modeling, interior design, and going out to movies and restaurants with family and friends. Rhoda was an avid reader and had a library of books, particularly self-help books. Rhoda was always striving to learn and grow, both spiritually and personally. One of her favorite authors was Khalil Gibran. Rhoda inspired other family members to read more. Rhoda loved reading so much that she had a painting on her wall of a woman in a white dress reading a book. Rhoda said the painting made her feel calm. Rhoda had a pleasant demeanor. Rhoda’s kind, warm, and gentle spirit shone through in everything she did. Rhoda was a dreamer who loved beautiful things. She would often visit model home open houses just to see how the homes were decorated. She even got inspired one day and made beautiful white curtains for her living room. Rhoda once saw her niece in a ballet recital and said it was the most beautiful thing she ever saw. She loved the peaceful nature of it all. Rhoda was a hard worker and often worked long shifts at the MTA to provide for herself and her son. Because of her ability to connect with all types of people, Rhoda was offered many opportunities such as becoming an MTA Shift Supervisor and a Union Representative, but Rhoda didn’t want to “rat out her friends.” This speaks to Rhoda’s loyalty as a friend. She was content driving the bus, meeting new people, and brightening their day with her warm, infectious smile that many said resembled that of the rapper, Queen Latifah. Rhoda was very generous. Because she had a good job and had her child late in life, she always seemed to have money, when some of her friends did not. She enjoyed shopping and buying gifts for people. She was in tune with what people needed and was a great gifter. She would surprise people and bless them with her gifts. In addition to this, Rhoda often opened her home to family and friends for extended periods of time. Rhoda would always take action when she saw someone in need. Rhoda was very neat and would always keep her place in pristine condition. If your place was not neat, when she visited, she might offer to help you clean up. Rhoda inspired others to maintain a clean house. In fact, when Rhoda first began living at an assisted-living facility, she would even help the workers clean up the common areas. Rhoda leaves to mourn: her son, Michael Hall, her granddaughter, Zuri Hall; brother, Rodney Hall; sister, Juanita Burch; step-father, Thaddeus Moore; step-mother, Pam Moore; brother-in-law, Daryl Burch; nephew, Jason Hall; niece, Victoria Burch; Harry Ellet, who was like a brother to her, and a host of family and friends

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Rhoda L. Hall

March 15, 1957 - July 13, 2020