Jimmye Hall

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Jimmye Lou Hall, 81
Jimmye Lou Hall, wife of former Hormel Executive Vice President James E. Hall, passed away peacefully on Sept. 28, 2008 with her husband, children Judi, Joe and Jay by her side in Palo Alto, Calif.
She thoroughly enjoyed the 15 years she spent in Austin and treasured the many fine friends that she made there. She was born Sept. 9, 1926 in Bear Creek, Ala. and enjoyed a full and varied life, including extensive world travel, a very successful business career and doting on her grandchildren. She was blessed with a story-book second marriage of 34 years with her surviving husband Jim and was a devoted best friend and soulmate to him.
Among her many accomplishments, Jimmye Lou was an avid pilot, having learned how to fly in 1945 when she was 19 and flew in the All-Woman Transcontinental Air Race (Powder Puff Derby) in 1959, finishing second place in an event that featured over 100 airplanes. Jimmye Lou also set a national drag racing record driving a Ford Mustang Oct. 24, 1964 in the American Hot Rod Association’s Winter Nationals.
She owned and managed a Piper Aircraft dealer and distributorship based in Phoenix, Ariz. It grew to be one of the largest Piper Aircraft distributorships in the country covering Arizona, California, Oregon, Washington and northern Mexico from 1945-1972. Initially based in Phoenix they opened regional offices in Honolulu, Long Beach and San Jose bringing Jimmey Lou to the Bay Area.
Judi remembers her mother as the classiest, most elegant and lady-like women she has ever known. She gave selflessly to family and others and was a real inspiration to everyone who knew her. Her love for family was endless.  I will miss everything about her: her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh, her sweet southern drawl. My life has a large hole that will slowly be filled, but my heart will miss her until we are together again.
Her son Joe will always remember her as a loving, nurturing mother with a passion for life and a great sense of humor. She treasured her grandchildren and her large group of family and friends. Her grace and love will be carried in his heart forever.
Jimmye Lou’s stepson Jay remembers her as a vivacious, warm and caring southern woman who filled the much needed role of surrogate mother with grace, love and real affection. She will be missed tremendously.
Jimmye Lou leaves behind her husband Jim Hall, Atherton, Calif.; daughter, Judi Boschi, Turlock, Calif.; son, Joe Shelton, Watsonville, Calif.; stepson, Jay Hall, Grass Valley, Calif; beloved grandchildren, Franziska Shelton, Sebastian Shelton, Clay Boschi, Alex Hall and Nick Hall. They will cherish the memories of their dear Mimi. She is also survived by her oldest sister, Frieda Arnold, Chattanooga, Tenn.; sister, Merry Gay Lorberg, Cape Girardeau, Mo.; brother, Brooks Faulkner, Smyrna, Tenn.; sister-in-law, Nancy Faulkner, Kennett, Mo. and a large and loving extended family.
She was preceded in death by her grandson, Arlen Boschi, Turlock, Calif.; younger brother, Bruner Faulkner, Kennett, Mo. and older brother J.D. Faulkner, Kennett.
A private family graveside service will be held on Oct. 7, 2008 at Alta Mesa Memorial Park Cemetery in Palo Alto followed by a memorial service Oct. 21, 2008, 2 p.m., at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the Kiwanis Club Foundation of Menlo Park, P.O. Box 311, Menlo Park, CA 94026 or to P.E.O. Program for Continuing Education, P.O. Box 5617 Whittier, CA 90607-5617 in the name of Jimmye Lou Hall, chapter DC. This fund assists young women with tuition costs who normally would not be able to attend college.

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