- Date Of Birth: March 24, 1932
- Date Of Death: January 15, 2022
- State: Indiana
Miriam Elizabeth Hall Wilson
~ Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints. Psalm 116:15 ~
On Saturday, January 15, 2021, at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, Miriam Elizabeth Hall Wilson gained her wings as she transitioned from labor to reward at the blessed age of 89 years. She was the oldest living member of the Hall family. What a legacy to behold.
Miriam (affectionately known to many as Baby Doll), was born March 24, 1932 in Thornton, Arkansas to Lewis Jetney Hall and Betty Rebecca McCoy Hall. She was the 7th child of 12 children born in a godly home, and she was very close to her siblings.
She attended Douglass School and graduated from Kokomo High School in 1951.
Miriam had a shy personality, but she was a very talented woman who was full of knowledge, talents, and goodwill. She perfected her gift of hospitality over and over, as she wanted to do good all the days of her life.
She was a beautician extraordinaire. She moved to Indianapolis, enrolled in Beauty School, and passed her State Boards in 1952. She was known to give “a mean press and curl” and you can believe she would be laughing and talking on the phone simultaneously.
She was a decorator extraordinaire. She had a love for home economics and was known to have blessed hands. She graduated from an interior decorating class, and thus began decorating in her own home as well as others’. No matter where she lived, she made sure her home was aesthetically beautiful.
She was a babysitter extraordinaire. She babysat for children who needed a safe place so that their mothers could work and make a living. Many days, people wouldn’t have the funds to pay her, but she didn’t mind because she wanted to help. She developed a lasting love and connection to those children, and Diona, Tristan, Joey, B.J., Corey, and Micah yet called her “Granny.” Their mothers continue to speak of their gratefulness to her and her kindness to them.
She was a seamstress extraordinaire. She became a seamstress to the saints and beyond. On any day of the week, many people would come to pick up their altered items. She made men’s and women’s handkerchiefs by the hundreds, and if you had a baby girl, you were sure to have had at least 10 pairs of wide lace socks.
She was a Top Chef extraordinaire. This woman was superb in a kitchen. She was known for her greens, dumplings, and dressing. Her pies were world-famous: fried pies, sweet potato, egg custard, pecan, apple, and cherry. The smell lingered for days! She had an amazing recipe for caramel cake that still cannot be reproduced. It was ordinary to go to her house and see 60 or 70 pies and cakes ready for customer pickup during the holidays.
She was a hostess extraordinaire. She allowed over 25 people to live in her home while they were in transition. Some lived upstairs, but most lived downstairs in the furnished apartment-style room. She received meager rent from some and nothing from others.
She was a gamer extraordinaire. Scrabble, Boggle, Cryptograms, Ms. Pacman, and Dr. Mario could not stump her, and most of you could not beat her. She spared no mercy with you as her fast-thinking brain would outthink you before you even started.
Miriam was as loyal as they come. She made friends very easily, and she loved her friends, most of whom she spoke with daily. Her close friends included but were not limited to: Missionary Nancy Ruth Harvey Samuels, Mo. Willie Mae Tate, Mo. Rosetta Brown, Mo. Leola Kellum, Mo. Rae Margaret Hall, and her special friend/cousin, Sister Mary McCoy Sanders.
She was a member of Faith COGIC, helping her brother, Pastor Cleophas Hall Sr. in the ministry before she joined 22nd Street COGIC under the late Pastor Jesse Brown. After his death, she served faithfully under his son, Pastor Marvin L. Brown Sr. until her physical body could no longer attend.
She leaves to cherish her memories three daughters: Charlene K. Sanders (Indianapolis, IN), Tarita A. (A. Wendell) Brown, and April L. (John) Peters (both of Kokomo, IN). One daughter by love: Marion A. Grady (San Antonio, TX). One son by love: Charles Meriweather (Indianapolis IN). Daughter-In-Law: Gloria Wilson (Cincinnati, OH). Fourteen grandchildren: Jericka (Jeriel) McKissack, Justin (Kinisha) Sanders, A. Wendell (Susan) Brown III, Amber (James) Williams, Quentin (Nicole) Brown, Kyle (Clarissa) Brown, John Peters Jr., Charnell Peters, and William (Angela) Spencer Jr. Ten amazing great-grandchildren. Four sisters: Alice J. Washington, Dorothy S. Joseph, Charlotte A. Corbett, Louise L. James and special sister: Mary E. Brown. Two goddaughters: Cheryl A. Sutton and Julia Couch. One godson: Tim Murrell.
Preceding her in death are her parents, Rev. Lewis J. and Betty R. Hall; four brothers: Pastor James Hall, Bishop Milton L. Hall Sr., Pastor Cleophas Hall Sr., and Pastor John Hall; three sisters: Frances Mae Hall, Helen Joyce Hall, and Betty Oliver-Clark; and one son, Willie L. Wilson.
Miriam, our Queen Bee, was adored by many, loved by most, and favored of God. We will surely miss her, but we plan to see her at her new address in heaven one day.
