Obituary for Milicent Hall
Milicent Graham Hall, 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 28, 2022, following a 12- year triumph over multiple myeloma. She leaves behind a legacy of love for God and her family; caring community engagement; deep intellectually curiosity, effortless style and grace; and selfless service to others.
Milicent was born on November 27, 1942 on the Island of Jamaica in the town of Epworth, St. Ann. Milicent was the first of ten children to Edgar & Ciciley Graham. At the age of six years old in 1948, Milicent moved from St. Ann’s to Kingston where she lived with her aunt and uncle; Septimus & Aive Campbell. Milicent attended Wesley Primary and Excelsior High School where she graduated at the top of her class (the valedictorian) in 1960.
In 1961, Milicent married Tony Hall and started a family. Milicent and Tony had three children; Christopher Andre, Franz Anthony and Kerri-Ann Mellany. Milicent and her family lived in Kingston, Jamaica.
Milicent attended the University of the West Indies where she was trained in Physiology and Pharmacology. From 1966 through 1968, she worked, attended classes and conducted research studies at the University. The results of two studies were published in the prestigious Scientific Journal – Nature. In 1968, Milicent moved on to the Jamaica Water Commission where she worked in the laboratory for five years.
Milicent became an employee of Guinness Jamaica Limited in 1973. In 1974, after only 18 months on the job, she was admitted into a very selective training course in brewing technology. Milicent became the first Black and first woman to be admitted to the training course. Upon completion of the course, which was held in London and Dublin, Milicent was promoted to Laboratory Manager.
Milicent migrated with her family to the United States in 1979. She joined the staff at Blue Cross Blue Shield and attended Marymount College and subsequently the New School University. By 1989, Milicent had completed two Master’s Degrees, one in Business Administration from Marymount College and the other in Management Accounting from New School University. Milicent served as a Senior Internal & Information Systems Auditor at Blue Cross Blue Shield until 1996.
In 1996, Milicent left Blue Cross Blue Shield to attend Brooklyn College where she obtained the necessary Educational Credits to pursue her passion and dream of giving back to her community by teaching young children, especially those living in the inner-city areas. Milicent went on to teach second grade at Public School 202 in East New York until her retirement in 2008.
All throughout her life, Milicent demonstrated a consistently strong faith in God and adherence to Christian values. Her deep faith, pursuit of academic excellence, unrelenting persistence and
personal resilience has helped her to triumph over life’s challenges. She has been resolute in sharing her faith with her family and loved ones, many times by providing inspirational scripture verses and encouraging words. She served her community in many ways such as leading initiatives to serve orphanages in Jamaica, organizing bible study groups, working with the National Association of University Women and teaching young children as a Sunday school teacher.
Milicent is survived by her children, Christopher H, Franz H and Kerri-Ann H; grandchildren Shakira L, Maisha H, Omari H, Jaelen H, Leah H and Jayden H; siblings Eleanor R, Desmond G, Keith G, Charles G, Angela M and Nigel G; countless nieces and nephews as well as a host of other beloved family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Ciciley G; and siblings, John G, Donovan G, Sr., and David Gr, Sr.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to numerous friends that have provided loving support for Mom - Grace Church and Christian Cultural Center “Golden Saints” church family in Brooklyn, NY; the doctors and staff of Montefiore Medical Center’s oncology department and the nurses and staff of Rebekah Extended Care and Moffat Gardens Adult Care.
Milicent was born on November 27, 1942 on the Island of Jamaica in the town of Epworth, St. Ann. Milicent was the first of ten children to Edgar & Ciciley Graham. At the age of six years old in 1948, Milicent moved from St. Ann’s to Kingston where she lived with her aunt and uncle; Septimus & Aive Campbell. Milicent attended Wesley Primary and Excelsior High School where she graduated at the top of her class (the valedictorian) in 1960.
In 1961, Milicent married Tony Hall and started a family. Milicent and Tony had three children; Christopher Andre, Franz Anthony and Kerri-Ann Mellany. Milicent and her family lived in Kingston, Jamaica.
Milicent attended the University of the West Indies where she was trained in Physiology and Pharmacology. From 1966 through 1968, she worked, attended classes and conducted research studies at the University. The results of two studies were published in the prestigious Scientific Journal – Nature. In 1968, Milicent moved on to the Jamaica Water Commission where she worked in the laboratory for five years.
Milicent became an employee of Guinness Jamaica Limited in 1973. In 1974, after only 18 months on the job, she was admitted into a very selective training course in brewing technology. Milicent became the first Black and first woman to be admitted to the training course. Upon completion of the course, which was held in London and Dublin, Milicent was promoted to Laboratory Manager.
Milicent migrated with her family to the United States in 1979. She joined the staff at Blue Cross Blue Shield and attended Marymount College and subsequently the New School University. By 1989, Milicent had completed two Master’s Degrees, one in Business Administration from Marymount College and the other in Management Accounting from New School University. Milicent served as a Senior Internal & Information Systems Auditor at Blue Cross Blue Shield until 1996.
In 1996, Milicent left Blue Cross Blue Shield to attend Brooklyn College where she obtained the necessary Educational Credits to pursue her passion and dream of giving back to her community by teaching young children, especially those living in the inner-city areas. Milicent went on to teach second grade at Public School 202 in East New York until her retirement in 2008.
All throughout her life, Milicent demonstrated a consistently strong faith in God and adherence to Christian values. Her deep faith, pursuit of academic excellence, unrelenting persistence and
personal resilience has helped her to triumph over life’s challenges. She has been resolute in sharing her faith with her family and loved ones, many times by providing inspirational scripture verses and encouraging words. She served her community in many ways such as leading initiatives to serve orphanages in Jamaica, organizing bible study groups, working with the National Association of University Women and teaching young children as a Sunday school teacher.
Milicent is survived by her children, Christopher H, Franz H and Kerri-Ann H; grandchildren Shakira L, Maisha H, Omari H, Jaelen H, Leah H and Jayden H; siblings Eleanor R, Desmond G, Keith G, Charles G, Angela M and Nigel G; countless nieces and nephews as well as a host of other beloved family members and friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Edgar and Ciciley G; and siblings, John G, Donovan G, Sr., and David Gr, Sr.
The family wishes to extend their gratitude to numerous friends that have provided loving support for Mom - Grace Church and Christian Cultural Center “Golden Saints” church family in Brooklyn, NY; the doctors and staff of Montefiore Medical Center’s oncology department and the nurses and staff of Rebekah Extended Care and Moffat Gardens Adult Care.