Elma Rea Hall

Elma Rea Hall, ninth of the ten children of Cleveland Lee Hall and Eunice Britt Hall, passed away on Thursday, June 18, 2026, in her native Smithfield, VA. A devout Christian, Rea was a member of West End Assembly of God in Richmond, the city where she lived most of her life before returning to Smithfield in December 2022 due to illness. She was 87.

In addition to her parents, Rea was predeceased by her siblings Mary Hall Ristagno, Cleveland Lee Hall, Jr., and Olive Hall Gwaltney. She is survived by her sisters Cherry Hall Keith and Eunice Hall Appelman, and her brothers Robert Hall, Earl T. Hall, Franklin E. Hall and Philip G. Hall.

Rea was deeply loved and cherished by her many nieces and nephews, all of whom adored their “Rea Rea.” She found great joy in spending time with them and they with her. She was a mentor, companion and surrogate mother to her special friend Pasha Butler who blossomed under Rea’s guidance and love.

A graduate of Smithfield High School, Rea’s career included work with Robert Shaw Controls Company for 26 years; CSX Corporation; and Circuit City. Family lore is that Rea’s father told her that she need never work, she just needed to look pretty. Fortunately, she managed to do both well. When growing up, Rea’s older siblings often had to miss school to work in the fields. Her sister Cherry recalls Rea crying over such unfairness. Rea wanted to stay home, too, though likely not to work the fields. She is said to have cried all the way down the long lane to catch the bus.

With her tall willowy frame, long dark hair, and beautiful eyes, Rea had an uncanny ability to mirror characters seen on TV and in film—like Dianne Keaton in Annie Hall and Marlo Thomas in That Girl. Always stylish, her outfits were never thrown together. Rather, they were curated. Fashion was her jam. After her career, she worked in retail, including at Saks Fifth Avenue where the temptations for this fashionista were sometimes overwhelming.

Her artistic and creative abilities were equally evident in her drawings, paintings and exquisite penmanship. She enjoyed travel in the US and abroad and often traveled with groups from her church. She loved music and dancing and spent many late nights in Richmond line-dancing complete with boots, hats and all the moves.

Rea enjoyed singing in her church choir and, like her mother, had a beautiful alto voice. One of her greatest joys was playing various roles in the West End Assembly of God’s annual production of Glorious Christmas Nights.

Whenever anyone asked Rea why she didn’t marry, her reply was always the same: “I don’t want to learn how to cook.” And she did not. Rea enjoyed life and lived it her way. Her lively approach to life kept her forever young.

A graveside service with the Reverend Jeff Cannon will be held on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at 2 PM at St. Lukes Cemetery, 14477 Benn's Church Blvd., Smithfield, VA 23430.

Online condolences may be registered at www.littlesfuneralhome.com