Ms. Iris M. Hall

Ms. Iris May Hall went home to be with the Lord early Wednesday morning, January 8, 2025. She was born on November 26, 1923, in Brooklyn, N.Y., as the eldest of four children born to the late Peter and Lillian Jarrett.

Iris attended PS 129 and graduated from Girls' High School in 1942, both located in Brooklyn, N.Y. In her later years, she attended Queens College and graduated from the Bethel Gospel Tabernacle Bible Institute in Jamaica, N.Y.

She worked as a bookkeeper for Price and Schumacher for 20 years. After retiring, she discovered her passion for volunteerism and community service. Iris was an active member of the Guy R. Brewer Democratic Club under the leadership of Councilman Archie Spigner. She also participated actively in the Rochdale Village and Robert Couche Senior Centers. She volunteered at a center in Far Rockaway that served hot meals, operated a food pantry, and ran a clothing donation program. Additionally, she was a dedicated member of the Senior Adult Ministry of New Jerusalem Church in Jamaica, N.Y.

At the age of 96, her health was impacted by COVID-19, and she reluctantly relocated to Hampton, VA, to be cared for by family members. However, upon her arrival, she quickly became the community “mayor,” greeting and keeping track of residents and their families. She joined the Hampton Dining Out Club, where she was greatly loved.

Although she never relinquished her membership or her ties to her beloved Bethany Baptist Church, she visited and was well-loved by members of Faith Outreach Church, Deeper Life World Outreach Ministries, Providence Baptist Church, and New Bethel Cathedral Church of God in Christ, all in Hampton, VA. She also connected with Family Community Church in Fresno, California.

Throughout her life, Iris enjoyed traveling, crocheting, and knitting, but reading remained her favorite pastime until the end.

Her greatest joy and devotion were tied to Bethany Baptist Church. She often shared how her father dropped her and her siblings off at the church one Sunday when she was 12 years old, and from that day forward, Bethany was her spiritual home. She served on the Usher Board, the Floral Club, in Sunday School, and as a deacon, later becoming a Deacon Emerita. Iris was proud, honored, and deeply blessed to be a part of the Bethany Nation.

She will be remembered for her unwavering dedication to her church and community. Her family recalls her unique and complex personality, including her humorous struggles with technology. Whether it was a remote, a cell phone, a tablet, or finding Bethany on Zoom, she just couldn’t master them. Despite these challenges, Iris remained authentic, reliable, and deeply cherished by her family, always showing up for every occasion or special event.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Peter and Lillian Jarrett, and her siblings, Millicent Yates, Etta Brown, and Morris Jarrett.

Left to cherish her memory are her daughters, Carolyn Odums and Sandra Hall; her eight grandchildren: Kamau Rucker, Micah Kemp, Sharif Rucker (Keisha), Ian Rucker (Selena), Naeem Odums (Lacy), Jarrette Rachel Storm, Krystina Robinson (Andre), and Maurice Hall; and her 18 great-grandchildren: Kibwe, Nakao, Kisean (Arianna), Ana, Munira, Nooriya, Micah, Naima, Angel, Naeem Jr., Rainbeau, Ava, Namir, Jasira, Ianna, Kaiden, Zachary, and Julio.

She also leaves behind five great-great-grandchildren: Gabriel, Reign, Seraya, Mulani, and Micah Jr., along with a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

It is the desire of the Hall family that you keep them in your thoughts and prayers.

The family of Ms. Iris M. Hall has entrusted her local care to C. C. Carter Funeral Home and final care to  Miles Funeral Home, 136 Decatur St, Brooklyn, NY 11216

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