Mildred Louise Hall (Lansing)

Mildred Louise Coleman entered this world Monday, January 6, 1936, in Bessemer, Alabama, the fourth of nine children born to the late Manley and Zola Mae Coleman. Although her family did not have much when she was young, Mildred often said she was "never wanting and had a rich, wonderful childhood." She was educated in the Bessemer School District graduating from Lawrence Dunbar High School where she excelled academically and was a member of the marching bands’ flashy colorguard.

Mildred was born into a tight-knit multigenerational family and forged a special relationship with her grandmother Emma who instilled in her proper southern values. Southern ladies are known for their charm, politeness, kindness, and more. Miss Millie, as she was affectionately called, didn’t stray from the deeply rooted values in which she was raised and remained a true southern belle throughout her life.

Train up a child in the way they should go: For the Coleman children, church attendance was an absolute - every Sunday unless you were “sick unto death.” Mildred grew up attending Sunday School and church at Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. After graduation Mildred followed her best friend Johnette Hall to Lansing, Michigan, where she united with Collins AME Church (which later became Trinity). Over the course of her nearly 66 years of membership, Mildred served her Lord in many ways; as a gate keeper on the Usher Board, faithful member of the Altar Guild Ministry, assisting in the kitchen whenever needed, as well as helping with vacation bible school.

With one glance from your eyes and the glow of your necklace, you have stolen my heart. Song of Solomon 4:9: Honorably discharged from the US Army, Arnold Hall returned home to Lansing and reconnected with young Mildred and was totally captivated by her inner beauty and charm. The two grew in love, married, and together parented four children: Mitzi Denise, Brandon Barnard, Shawn Shavell, and Jason Cedric. The couple remained together until Arnold’s passing in 2011. The couple credited their long-lasting marriage to one thing – love. Because of their love for each other and their sustained faith in God the couple was able to endure the storms of life until death did part.

Employed by the Lansing School District for thirty years. Miss Mildred loved her work in the classroom. She was passionate about children and loved teaching them. It was Mildred combination of kindness, patience, high expectations, and an optimistic spirit that helped young people believe in themselves and want to learn. Mildred thought of her students as her own and often bought clothes, shoes, winter coats, hats, or gloves, for her kids that did not have. Often saying, “kids can’t learn when they are hungry”, she kept a supply of food items in her drawers for kids who arrived without breakfast.

Family was always Mildred’s top priority. She never missed any football or basketball games, dance recitals, marching band, or any school events that her children participated in. She frequently traveled with Arnie to his bowling tournaments and was the first to book travel and attend family births, graduations, weddings, and reunions. Mildred was an amazing cook and was well known for her eye of the round roast with gravy so good it could be treated like a beverage. Miss Millie’s Sunday dinners were served with all the pomp and circumstance befitting royalty. Exquisitely dressed table, fresh centerpieces, and double helpings of unbridled love. The Hall house was a home filled with love and laughter. It was a safe place for all kids. Miss Millie and Arnie were surrogate parents for many. Be it family or neighbor, all kids were loved the same and many found themselves the recipient of identical discipline.

Mildred enjoyed socializing and was an original member of the VIPs, the Red Hatters, and Les Meres. Mildred loved to dance and would be the first on the dance floor. With her combination of beauty, grace, spunky sass, and soul she’d cha-cha, twist, and stroll with the best of them. When she and Arnie would partner on the floor, Arnie perfectly maintained his signature two-step, all while saying “get it baby” “do it girl” to Millie as she danced. We believe that now, Millie and Arnie are dancing together again.

CoCo Chanel says that a “girl should be two things; classy and fabulous,” Miss Millie was both! She established her own unique style. She will be remembered for her flair, elegance, and impeccable dress. As a true southern woman, she never attended a church service without wearing a hat and matching leather gloves. Miss Millie’s’ hats expressed her individuality and her creativity. Today, in her honor, family members are wearing some of Miss Millie’s hats. Arnold introduced the game of football to his wife and before long Mildred became the best armchair quarterback that never played a game. A quick study, her calls and plays were amazingly accurate. Mildred preferred college games believing that is where the best talent was. “Everybody is good in the NFL”, she’d say. Even though she graduated from Dunbar High School, she was a Big Red at heart and her sons say they could always hear Miss Millie shouting “go baby go!” over everyone in the stadium.

After Arnolds passing in 2011, family noticed some decline in Millie’s abilities, and she was eventually diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. As her ‘old self’ began to fade; she held fast to her dignity, gentle nature, and quick wit. With a smile on her face, she would have comebacks that brought laughter to those around. On Saturday morning, February 11, 2023, as families were waking to start their day, at 8:04, surrounded by family Mildred peacefully left this world bound for eternal life. Mildred was predeceased by her loving husband Arnold L. Hall, Jr., one sister, Lillian Boykins of Cleveland, OH; three brothers: Freddie Coleman, Walter Lee Coleman, Erskine Coleman all of Bessemer, AL.; parents, grandparents, and special uncle, Zettie Coleman.

Left to cherish her wonderful memories are four Children: Mitzi Allen and Brandon Hall both of Lansing MI; Shawn Hall of Los Angeles, CA. and Jason (Lakisha) Hall of Upper Marlboro, MD.; five Grandchildren: Karla Louise (her namesake), Ebony Allen, Rashonda Wilson, Nicolette Sharp, Kilah Stallworth, Jason, Jr.; five Great grandchildren: Kristopher Wagner, Robert Rider, Jr., Nickolas Allen, Li Tera Beard, and Aaron Wilson, four Great-great grandchildren: Noah, Bella, Aurora, Roman Wilson; three Sisters: Maggie Thomas of Detroit, MI; JoAnn Green of Cleveland, OH; Marva Norton Benjamin, of Lansing, MI; one Brother, Herman Coleman of Oakland, CA; one Brother-in-law; Tommy Bowie of Lansing, MI and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and special friends including Elenora Green, Lois McNelly, and Arlene Mitchell.