Anita Marie (Goby) Hall, 97, of Litchfield, formerly of Raymond, died Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, at HSHS St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Nov. 15, at 2 p.m. at A Community of Faith Church in Raymond. A visitation will be held starting from 12:30 p.m. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond. Pastor Lorna Blackford of A Community of Faith Church will be officiating.
Mrs. Hall was born to her parents, Gus T. and Stella (Smith) Goby, on Dec. 7, 1926, in Taylorville. She graduated as co-valedictorian of her Raymond class of 1943 and later went on to MacMurray College in Jacksonville. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1947.
Mrs. Hall started her working career at the State of Illinois working in personnel in Springfield and Champaign and eventually came back to Raymond to start her teaching career. Mrs. Hall taught at both the high school and junior high in Raymond for over 30 years, retiring in 1985.
She married Bruce Hall on June 14, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church in Raymond, and he preceded her in death on Feb. 27, 2012.
Mrs. Hall was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Raymond and served as Elder and on the Pastoral Search committee. She was also a member of the IEA-NEA (Illinois Education Association), the Women’s Card Club and the Doyle Library Board.
Mrs. Hall loved to read all her life, mastering crossword puzzles daily. After retirement she worked in Lincoln Land Community College Literacy program helping adults reach their reading goals. Cooking and baking was another favorite pastime which she mastered expertly. An avid fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Fighting Illini, she rooted on both grandsons even more. She was talented in art, music, writing and speaking, encouraging her students to hone their skills in each. Many students of hers say she was their favorite.
Mrs. Hall is survived by her daughter, Christine (Mark) Meisner of Raymond; grandchildren, Thomas (Sarah) and Eric; great-granchildren Caleb (Alicia) and Taylor; and great-great-grandchild, Madelynn.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Bruce; her infant son, Alan Hall on Nov. 9, 1951; and siblings,Gerald and Kenneth Goby.
Memorials in her honor may be directed to the First United Presbyterian Church of Raymond, the Doyle Public Library District, and/or the Panhandle Educational Foundation. Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be left online at www.houghfuneralhome.com.
