Irene Hebsgaard Christensen Hall

Irene Hebsgaard Christensen Hall, of Parksley, Virginia, who departed this life amongst devoted family on Thursday, July 19, 2018, was born to Danish immigrants, August and Emma Christensen, in Brooklyn, New York, on October 4, 1927.  She met the love of her life, John Bloxom Hall, who was stationed in the U.S. Navy in Brooklyn.  They later moved to the Eastern Shore after his obligation to the U.S. Military was fulfilled, living most of their married years in Bloxom, Virginia.

Mom considered Dad her first priority but cherished her eight children.  She loved being a Mom, and Big Mom, to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and in addition, always provided shelter and nourishment to others she considered “her children”.  Her door was always open to many and never knew a stranger.  She said daily that she was “blessed” by her children.

Mom was a devout Lutheran, having studied with the minister before confirmation at age 13.  She quoted scriptures and was known to quote the Golden Rule daily, and she raised her children with this as their guide in life.

She was predeceased by her husband of 39 years, John Bloxom Hall, who died in 1983; brother, Albert Christensen and his wife Jean; sister, Norma Christensen; sisters-in-law, Janet Christensen and Virginia Onley; brothers-in-law, Wilson Wessells, Fred Wilt, and Frank Drummond; and parents, August and Emma Christensen; several aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and her godmother, Emma Gomez.

She is survived by her eight children, Janet Hall and Danny Parks of Parksley, Sandra L. Johnson and husband Mitchel of Parksley, Norma H. Hurst and husband Frank of Accomac, VA, Darlene H. Drummond and husband Frankie of Parksley, John F. Hall and wife Kathy of Summerfield, FL, David A. Hall of Bloxom, Albert M. Hall and wife B.J. of Chesapeake, VA, and Roseanna M. Kort of Bloxom; sister, Eleanor Wilt of Anderson, IN; brother, Donald Christensen of Long Island, NY; sister-in-law, Ruth Lee Drummond of Parksley; fifteen grandchildren, Jazan Wild and wife Sharon, Jonathan Barnes, Jonah Parks and wife Charisse, Amanda Marshall and husband Steven, Michele Holmes and husband Larry, Dr. Frank Hurst and wife Jennifer, Emily Grant and husband Jeff, Justin Phillips, Kirsten Elebash, Stephanie Laird and husband Carl, Kyle Hall, Cescile Hall, Chelsea Hall, Ryan Kort and wife Sarah, and Dylan Kort; and ten great-grandchildren.

An admired attribute of Mom’s was that she always saw the good in everyone and never focused on someone’s choices in life. She leaves a legacy of love, caring, devotion and family values.

Respecting her wishes, a public service will not be held.  Her family will gather privately.  Pastor Billy Huffman and his wife, Evelyn, provided scripture and prayers with her and the family during her last hours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (www.stjude.org/donate), or to Riverside Shore Hospice, P.O. Box 615, Onley, VA 23418, whose services from employees to Mom during her last days were essential and comforting.

Memory tributes may be shared with the family at www.williamsfuneralhomes.com.

Arrangements by the Williams-Parksley Funeral Home.

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