Obituary for Cornelia Hall Spencer (Hall)
Early in the morning before dawn on Monday, March 30, 2020, God called another beautiful angel to her Heavenly home. Cornelia was the third child born to William Cornelius Hall and Anna Mary Watson Hall on June 20, 1953. She was raised in the Berkley section of Norfolk and attended Gatewood Elementary School, Campostella Junior High School, and graduated in 1971 from Booker T. Washington High School. While in high school, Cornelia participated in the marching band and other activities.
Cornelia matriculated at Norfolk State College, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing. She began her professional career as a registered nurse at Norfolk Community Hospital and later continued her career at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital until her retirement after forty-four years of loyal/dedicated service.
Cornelia accepted Christ at a very young age as a member of First Baptist Church Berkley. As an adult, she joined her parents and older sisters at New
Calvary Baptist Church where she was an active member of the Hospitality Ministry, the Finance Committee, the MAAFA Theater Cast, Vacation Bible School, and the Music Ministry (choirs under the direction of John Vann, Doc Christian, Marvin Swimpson and Elder Willie Moody). Cornelia possessed a melodious voice, often selected to perform solos with the choir and at weddings and funerals. She loved God, His people and her church family. She was also a member of the Culinary Arts Ministry where she progressed from cracking eggs to mastering the art of making scrambled eggs with and without cheese.
Cornelia will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her son Gerard Baker was the love of her life, and she watched him mature from a young boy to a great man and father of two daughters. She was so proud of his accomplishments in life and the career path he chose. Gerard was as dedicated to his mother as she was to him. Cornelia later married William B. Spencer who was the “wind beneath her wings.” They were blissfully married for over thirty years.
Cornelia was preceded in death by her parents Mr. & Mrs. William Cornelius Hall and her niece Ria Michelle Norman, a resident of Washington, DC.
Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband William, sons Gerard (Tami), Rashaad Spencer, sisters; Phyllis Hall Johns, Sandra Hall Norman, Ruth Hall McLeod (Benjamin), brother; Kenneth Andrews, grandchildren; Taylore Baker and Olivia Baker. Her memories will also be lovingly cherished by her nieces; Gerri Patrice Johns, Brandyn Felicia McLeod, great-nieces; Alyssa McLeod, Kennedy McLeod, nephews; Gerald T. Johns, Jr. (Monique), Bryant Benjamin McLeod (Ashley), cousins; Bonita Watson of Cynthiana, Kentucky, C. Larry Watson (Anita) of Ohio, Phillip Watson (Shirley) of Louisville, Kentucky, and David Hughes (Angela) of Norfolk. Cornelia had many loving friends, church members and former work associates. She had a special place in her heart for those who served with her in the choir of New Calvary Baptist Church.
A private family funeral will take place at Graves Funeral Home on
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 11 a.m. The service will be live streamed by Graves Funeral Home. Interment will take place immediately after the service at Roosevelt Memorial Gardens in Chesapeake, Virginia.
We thank God for allowing Cornelia to be an integral part of our lives. Her memory will last in our hearts and minds forever.
Cornelia matriculated at Norfolk State College, earning an Associate Degree in Nursing. She began her professional career as a registered nurse at Norfolk Community Hospital and later continued her career at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital until her retirement after forty-four years of loyal/dedicated service.
Cornelia accepted Christ at a very young age as a member of First Baptist Church Berkley. As an adult, she joined her parents and older sisters at New
Calvary Baptist Church where she was an active member of the Hospitality Ministry, the Finance Committee, the MAAFA Theater Cast, Vacation Bible School, and the Music Ministry (choirs under the direction of John Vann, Doc Christian, Marvin Swimpson and Elder Willie Moody). Cornelia possessed a melodious voice, often selected to perform solos with the choir and at weddings and funerals. She loved God, His people and her church family. She was also a member of the Culinary Arts Ministry where she progressed from cracking eggs to mastering the art of making scrambled eggs with and without cheese.
Cornelia will be remembered as a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. Her son Gerard Baker was the love of her life, and she watched him mature from a young boy to a great man and father of two daughters. She was so proud of his accomplishments in life and the career path he chose. Gerard was as dedicated to his mother as she was to him. Cornelia later married William B. Spencer who was the “wind beneath her wings.” They were blissfully married for over thirty years.
Cornelia was preceded in death by her parents Mr. & Mrs. William Cornelius Hall and her niece Ria Michelle Norman, a resident of Washington, DC.
Left to cherish her memory are her devoted husband William, sons Gerard (Tami), Rashaad Spencer, sisters; Phyllis Hall Johns, Sandra Hall Norman, Ruth Hall McLeod (Benjamin), brother; Kenneth Andrews, grandchildren; Taylore Baker and Olivia Baker. Her memories will also be lovingly cherished by her nieces; Gerri Patrice Johns, Brandyn Felicia McLeod, great-nieces; Alyssa McLeod, Kennedy McLeod, nephews; Gerald T. Johns, Jr. (Monique), Bryant Benjamin McLeod (Ashley), cousins; Bonita Watson of Cynthiana, Kentucky, C. Larry Watson (Anita) of Ohio, Phillip Watson (Shirley) of Louisville, Kentucky, and David Hughes (Angela) of Norfolk. Cornelia had many loving friends, church members and former work associates. She had a special place in her heart for those who served with her in the choir of New Calvary Baptist Church.
A private family funeral will take place at Graves Funeral Home on
Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 11 a.m. The service will be live streamed by Graves Funeral Home. Interment will take place immediately after the service at Roosevelt Memorial Gardens in Chesapeake, Virginia.
We thank God for allowing Cornelia to be an integral part of our lives. Her memory will last in our hearts and minds forever.