Ethel Joan Marie Key Hall, 85 of Newburg, Maryland.

I will bless the Lord at all times. His PRAISE shall continue to be in my mouth. My soul shall
make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof and be glad."
-Psalm 34:1-2

Ethel Joan Marie Key Hall, affectionately called Joan/Mom/Momma Hall by many was born on April 14, 1931 to the late James Warren Key and Ethel Mae Cecilia Gales Key in Washington, DC, and has been a lifetime resident of Charles County, MD. She was educated in the public schools of Charles County, MD, and went on to obtain her Master's in Education from Bowie State Teacher's College (now Bowie State University), matriculating through New York University and Morgan State University. She was honored to be among one of the first graduating classes from Bowie.

Joan was introduced to Christ at a young age, being raised in the Church originally founded and Pastored by her Grandfather, the late Rev. William H. Dyson. Joan became a loyal servant in both her Local Assembly and Community. She has served in multiple capacities within the Local Assembly, including Chair, United Methodist Women; Chair, Usher Board; Chair, Evangelism Committee; Superintendent, Sunday Schools, and many other roles. Never desiring the spotlight or public recognition, Joan served many times "behind the scenes", checking in on the Elderly and disabled in her community and beyond, volunteering services at the Asbury U.M. Senior Living in Gaithersburg, MD.

As fervent as Joan was about her "Elders" and service to them, she was equally as fervent regarding "Her Youth". She was not simply a teacher by Profession but by Calling and took her career very seriously. Joan taught school under both segregated and integrated conditions. She served 18 years at Bel Alton High School (her own High School Alma Mater), and would be one of the first minorities to serve in an integrated school. Loving Elementary Education and helping to mold young minds, she would oftentimes sacrifice many hours to develop specialized educational plans for children that were experiencing difficulty in certain areas of learning. She also served families of children, to insure there was unity and teamwork in the continued forward movement of her students. Post-retirement she continued to substitute teach and mentored many, including her Grandchildren, until her health became impaired.

Well into her career, she met her Life Love, Donald E. Hall, and after a brief courtship they were married December 13, 1959, and to this union was born one biological daughter, Pastor Sonja L. Hall (Mahoney). She, like her husband, was a private individual, yet a lover of people and genuine servanthood. She was the rock of her family, and enjoyed spending time with her Husband, Daughter, Grands, Caregivers, and other family, friends, and neighbors.

Joan loved the Word of God, prayer, worship, and singing. Some of her favorite Scriptures were Psalm 27, Psalm 34, Psalm 91, and Isaiah 40:31. In her latter years, she enjoyed the Companionship of her Husband, and singing Hymns, and having the Word read to her by her Caregiver's. Unbeknownst to many, Joan had an angelic soprano voice that will be greatly missed along with the bursts of wisdom dispersed to her Family, down to her last weeks of life, despite her condition.

Joan/Mom/Gran/Ma Hall/Mother Hall leaves to cherish her life, and celebrate and carry on her Legacy, one Daughter, Pastor Sonja L. Hall Mahoney(Colonial Beach, VA); one Stepdaughter, Lotus G. Maxfield (York, PA); one Stepson, Raymond Bruce Kirkland(York, PA); one special Son, Michael A. Mahoney (Newburg, MD), two special Daughters, Mary Whalen (Waldorf, MD) & Kimberly Lawson (Colonial Beach, VA), two Grandchildren, Prophet Tramaine (Trey) A. Mahoney(Los Angeles, CA) & Apostle of Music Jamaal A. Mahoney(Wilberforce, OH) – both of whom she and her husband helped to raise, and who in turn became her Caregivers; Granddaughter, Larissa Wednesday McCowin (Chad); and Grandson, Ret. Sgt. Donald Lambert; three Great Grands, Chad McCowin, Jr.; Chanon King McCowin; Calvary McCowin; One Brother, James Marlin Key; One Sister, Bernice Simms; one Nephew, James "Boo" Key; two Nieces, Sheila Simms; Phyllis Simms; one Godson, Tyrone Lee; one Goddaughter, Deborah Jones, and a HOST of additional In-laws, Grands, Great Grands, Nieces, and Nephews; Extended Family and Friends.

Viewing, 9 a.m. until 10:45 a.m., Service 11 a.m. Saturday, October 1, 2016 at her church home, Shiloh Community United Methodist Church, 12695 Shiloh Church Road, Newburg, Maryland 20664.

Interment 10:15 a.m. Monday, October 3, 2016 at Maryland Veteran Cemetery, 11301 Crain Highway, Cheltenham, Maryland 20623.