Janet Elizabeth Owens Hall, 81, died peacefully on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at her home in Alexandria, Virginia. Born in Oconee County, near Walhalla, South Carolina, Janet was the daughter of the late Morris Marvin Owens, Sr. and Gladys Elizabeth Murphree Owens. A graduate of Walhalla High School, Janet attended a two-year program at Mars Hill University and completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry at Clemson University.
Janet was employed as a chemist for the Communicable Disease Center in Savannah prior to her marriage. When the children reached school age she enrolled at American University in an intensive one year “Women in Science “ program that enabled her to reenter the work force. Janet’s ensuing career was spent as a civilian employee of the United States Army working with logistics, specifically in water storage. Early in her career, she worked as a lab chemist at Fort Belvoir, Virginia before moving into logistics management for the U.S. Army Material Command at the Pentagon. In mid-career, Janet was recognized in a nationwide campaign by the U.S. Army for her exemplary work as a role model for recruitment of woman into technical fields.
After retirement, Janet volunteered as a reading tutor in the Alexandria School System. In her retirement, she enjoyed spending time in her garden. Janet also enjoyed photography, where she captured the beauty of every day events, family milestones, and holidays. She was also an accomplished water skier and ballroom dancer. But her favorite way to spend her time was with friends and family, especially her grandchildren.
She was an active member of the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria for 52 years. Janet enjoyed teaching Sunday School in the kindergarten room. She served on numerous committees and lately had been honing her skills with the knitting group.
Janet was exceptionally kind and generous, a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and friend to anyone she met. She will be deeply missed by everyone who her life touched.
Janet is survived by her loving husband of 56 years, Edwin Platt Hall; brother Morris Marvin Owens, Jr. and his wife Nancy; son Clifford Morris Hall and wife Kalpana; son Jeffrey Owens Hall and wife Kathleen; grandchildren Maya Priya Hall, Jai Kiran Hall, Ryan Connor Hall, and Dylan James Hall.
A memorial service will be held at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House on Friday, July 21, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. with a reception at the church to follow. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Alive! Inc. of Alexandria or to your favorite charity.
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