Melody Whitaker-Hall transitioned peacefully from this life to eternal rest early Thursday morning,her home in Gastonia, North Carolina. Melody courageously and heroically fought a complicated battle against stage four metastatic aggressive breast cancer.
Originally from Clinton, North Carolina she was the much-beloved daughter of the late retired educators, William H. Whitaker Sr. and Elmer Faison Whitaker.
At an early age Melody jointed First Baptist Church in Clinton, North Carolina and later joined St. John Baptist Church after moving to Gastonia, North Carolina
Melody attended the Clinton City School System in North Carolina, along with her brother Dr. William H. Whitaker, Jr. Melody earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast News from Bennett College and the Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Counseling from North Carolina A&T State University, both located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
During her nine years as Human Resources Manager in Charlotte, N.C., for Rooms to Go, Inc., Melody met her rock, soulmate, and the love of her life, Howard Hall Jr. Howard would soon become her loving husband and never leave her side during the difficult years of health issues that hastily followed.
Melody was first diagnosed October 2006 with stage 2 breast cancer, after which she endured a radical mastectomy, then six months of chemotherapy and radiation. The radical mastectomy was performed three days before she and Howard were married on May 4, 2007. During her fight against breast cancer, countless numbers of friends, family members, sorority sisters, fellow alumni, and supporters walked, ran, and prayed in her honor, attended guest appearances, and participated in infomercials sharing in the critical need of educating the masses about breast cancer information, awareness, and especially the dire need to find a cure.
Melody was honored, humbled, and so appreciative to experience the unwavering love and support from so many, including: First Baptist Church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, sorority sisters of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, fellow Bennett Belles, alumnae of Bennett College, fellow band members of The Blue and Gold Marching Machine and fellow Bulldogs of NC A&T State University, other friends, family members, and supporters from all over the world.
In 2008, Melody lost her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law within a six-month period. She was further devastated when her oncologist, Dr. Geoffrey Chapman at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, informed her that her health meant she would not be able to have a child, a dream that had helped her face some of the challenges that seemed insurmountable at times. But according to God’s plan, on May 28, 2009, Melody delivered her miracle child, Lauren Gray Hall, a beautiful baby girl. Melody had a wonderful pregnancy with no complications, although she was considered high risk because of her cancer status.
Near Christmas 2011, once again Melody was faced with the fight of her life. She was diagnosed with stage four estrogen positive metastatic breast cancer on the same side as her radical mastectomy and had twenty-four lymph nodes removed. She may have asked herself, “Why me?” “What did I do wrong?” “Am I being punished?” but she realized her gift from God was her daughter Lauren, and she was determined to stay strong, encouraged and motivated to raise her daughter, just as her parents had raised her, despite many obstacles and adversities.
One of Melody’s college friends, Jenai Pridgen Childress, wrote the children’s book, My Beautiful Mommy about Lauren and named the central character, London Giselle Hall. Jenai wrote a second book, Kids Wear Pink Too, detailing the experience of a little girl whose parent is battling breast cancer and living with a parent who may be losing their battle with cancer. The books are designed to help children sort out their feelings and learn to cope with their parent’s deadly disease as it affects them.
Melody proudly wore pink because she felt the color pink was courageous and strong and would lead the way to a cure! Melody will be remembered as a nurturing mother, loving sister, devoted wife, steadfast friend, accomplished drummer and an amazing breast cancer survivor. Melody was always encouraged by and a witness that through strong faith you can deal with and conquer anything. Today, we celebrate her life and her legacy, which will live on forever.
Melody leaves to cherish precious memories her husband, Howard Hall, Jr. of the home; daughter, Lauren Gray Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; stepdaughter, Alexis N. Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; brother, William H. Whitaker, Jr. of Columbia, S.C.; two-aunts, Mattie G. Moseley of Jacksonville, N.C. and Mable C. Faison, Clinton, N.C.; two cousins and their children, Monty M. Faison (Leslye), Montoria C. Faison and Lexton A. Faison of Raleigh, N.C. and Equong Jones (James), Alisha Lewis and Karl Lewis of Philadelphia, PA, and many other close relatives and special friends; four other special people in Melody’s life were Mrs. Brenda Brown (who Melody considered as a second Mama), Mama Daisy, Aunt Ellen and Aunt Mae.
“Remaining balanced in the face of adversity
was its own reward, its own opportunity.
This is a lesson that has truly freed me.
My entire journey and experience with
cancer transformed my vision of the world
and my place in it. I realized I am not alone —
I am truly loved.”
Melody Whitaker-Hall
PLACE OF SERVICE:St. John Baptist Church (Outreach Center)
BURIAL:Armstrong Cemetery Gastonia, North Carolina
Originally from Clinton, North Carolina she was the much-beloved daughter of the late retired educators, William H. Whitaker Sr. and Elmer Faison Whitaker.
At an early age Melody jointed First Baptist Church in Clinton, North Carolina and later joined St. John Baptist Church after moving to Gastonia, North Carolina
Melody attended the Clinton City School System in North Carolina, along with her brother Dr. William H. Whitaker, Jr. Melody earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast News from Bennett College and the Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Counseling from North Carolina A&T State University, both located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
During her nine years as Human Resources Manager in Charlotte, N.C., for Rooms to Go, Inc., Melody met her rock, soulmate, and the love of her life, Howard Hall Jr. Howard would soon become her loving husband and never leave her side during the difficult years of health issues that hastily followed.
Melody was first diagnosed October 2006 with stage 2 breast cancer, after which she endured a radical mastectomy, then six months of chemotherapy and radiation. The radical mastectomy was performed three days before she and Howard were married on May 4, 2007. During her fight against breast cancer, countless numbers of friends, family members, sorority sisters, fellow alumni, and supporters walked, ran, and prayed in her honor, attended guest appearances, and participated in infomercials sharing in the critical need of educating the masses about breast cancer information, awareness, and especially the dire need to find a cure.
Melody was honored, humbled, and so appreciative to experience the unwavering love and support from so many, including: First Baptist Church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, sorority sisters of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, fellow Bennett Belles, alumnae of Bennett College, fellow band members of The Blue and Gold Marching Machine and fellow Bulldogs of NC A&T State University, other friends, family members, and supporters from all over the world.
In 2008, Melody lost her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law within a six-month period. She was further devastated when her oncologist, Dr. Geoffrey Chapman at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, informed her that her health meant she would not be able to have a child, a dream that had helped her face some of the challenges that seemed insurmountable at times. But according to God’s plan, on May 28, 2009, Melody delivered her miracle child, Lauren Gray Hall, a beautiful baby girl. Melody had a wonderful pregnancy with no complications, although she was considered high risk because of her cancer status.
Near Christmas 2011, once again Melody was faced with the fight of her life. She was diagnosed with stage four estrogen positive metastatic breast cancer on the same side as her radical mastectomy and had twenty-four lymph nodes removed. She may have asked herself, “Why me?” “What did I do wrong?” “Am I being punished?” but she realized her gift from God was her daughter Lauren, and she was determined to stay strong, encouraged and motivated to raise her daughter, just as her parents had raised her, despite many obstacles and adversities.
One of Melody’s college friends, Jenai Pridgen Childress, wrote the children’s book, My Beautiful Mommy about Lauren and named the central character, London Giselle Hall. Jenai wrote a second book, Kids Wear Pink Too, detailing the experience of a little girl whose parent is battling breast cancer and living with a parent who may be losing their battle with cancer. The books are designed to help children sort out their feelings and learn to cope with their parent’s deadly disease as it affects them.
Melody proudly wore pink because she felt the color pink was courageous and strong and would lead the way to a cure! Melody will be remembered as a nurturing mother, loving sister, devoted wife, steadfast friend, accomplished drummer and an amazing breast cancer survivor. Melody was always encouraged by and a witness that through strong faith you can deal with and conquer anything. Today, we celebrate her life and her legacy, which will live on forever.
Melody leaves to cherish precious memories her husband, Howard Hall, Jr. of the home; daughter, Lauren Gray Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; stepdaughter, Alexis N. Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; brother, William H. Whitaker, Jr. of Columbia, S.C.; two-aunts, Mattie G. Moseley of Jacksonville, N.C. and Mable C. Faison, Clinton, N.C.; two cousins and their children, Monty M. Faison (Leslye), Montoria C. Faison and Lexton A. Faison of Raleigh, N.C. and Equong Jones (James), Alisha Lewis and Karl Lewis of Philadelphia, PA, and many other close relatives and special friends; four other special people in Melody’s life were Mrs. Brenda Brown (who Melody considered as a second Mama), Mama Daisy, Aunt Ellen and Aunt Mae.
“Remaining balanced in the face of adversity
was its own reward, its own opportunity.
This is a lesson that has truly freed me.
My entire journey and experience with
cancer transformed my vision of the world
and my place in it. I realized I am not alone —
I am truly loved.”
Melody Whitaker-Hall
PLACE OF SERVICE:St. John Baptist Church (Outreach Center)
BURIAL:Armstrong Cemetery Gastonia, North Carolina
Melody Whitaker-Hall transitioned peacefully from this life to eternal rest early Thursday morning,her home in Gastonia, North Carolina. Melody courageously and heroically fought a complicated battle against stage four metastatic aggressive breast cancer.
Originally from Clinton, North Carolina she was the much-beloved daughter of the late retired educators, William H. Whitaker Sr. and Elmer Faison Whitaker.
At an early age Melody jointed First Baptist Church in Clinton, North Carolina and later joined St. John Baptist Church after moving to Gastonia, North Carolina
Melody attended the Clinton City School System in North Carolina, along with her brother Dr. William H. Whitaker, Jr. Melody earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast News from Bennett College and the Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Counseling from North Carolina A&T State University, both located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
During her nine years as Human Resources Manager in Charlotte, N.C., for Rooms to Go, Inc., Melody met her rock, soulmate, and the love of her life, Howard Hall Jr. Howard would soon become her loving husband and never leave her side during the difficult years of health issues that hastily followed.
Melody was first diagnosed October 2006 with stage 2 breast cancer, after which she endured a radical mastectomy, then six months of chemotherapy and radiation. The radical mastectomy was performed three days before she and Howard were married on May 4, 2007. During her fight against breast cancer, countless numbers of friends, family members, sorority sisters, fellow alumni, and supporters walked, ran, and prayed in her honor, attended guest appearances, and participated in infomercials sharing in the critical need of educating the masses about breast cancer information, awareness, and especially the dire need to find a cure.
Melody was honored, humbled, and so appreciative to experience the unwavering love and support from so many, including: First Baptist Church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, sorority sisters of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, fellow Bennett Belles, alumnae of Bennett College, fellow band members of The Blue and Gold Marching Machine and fellow Bulldogs of NC A&T State University, other friends, family members, and supporters from all over the world.
In 2008, Melody lost her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law within a six-month period. She was further devastated when her oncologist, Dr. Geoffrey Chapman at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, informed her that her health meant she would not be able to have a child, a dream that had helped her face some of the challenges that seemed insurmountable at times. But according to God’s plan, on May 28, 2009, Melody delivered her miracle child, Lauren Gray Hall, a beautiful baby girl. Melody had a wonderful pregnancy with no complications, although she was considered high risk because of her cancer status.
Near Christmas 2011, once again Melody was faced with the fight of her life. She was diagnosed with stage four estrogen positive metastatic breast cancer on the same side as her radical mastectomy and had twenty-four lymph nodes removed. She may have asked herself, “Why me?” “What did I do wrong?” “Am I being punished?” but she realized her gift from God was her daughter Lauren, and she was determined to stay strong, encouraged and motivated to raise her daughter, just as her parents had raised her, despite many obstacles and adversities.
One of Melody’s college friends, Jenai Pridgen Childress, wrote the children’s book, My Beautiful Mommy about Lauren and named the central character, London Giselle Hall. Jenai wrote a second book, Kids Wear Pink Too, detailing the experience of a little girl whose parent is battling breast cancer and living with a parent who may be losing their battle with cancer. The books are designed to help children sort out their feelings and learn to cope with their parent’s deadly disease as it affects them.
Melody proudly wore pink because she felt the color pink was courageous and strong and would lead the way to a cure! Melody will be remembered as a nurturing mother, loving sister, devoted wife, steadfast friend, accomplished drummer and an amazing breast cancer survivor. Melody was always encouraged by and a witness that through strong faith you can deal with and conquer anything. Today, we celebrate her life and her legacy, which will live on forever.
Melody leaves to cherish precious memories her husband, Howard Hall, Jr. of the home; daughter, Lauren Gray Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; stepdaughter, Alexis N. Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; brother, William H. Whitaker, Jr. of Columbia, S.C.; two-aunts, Mattie G. Moseley of Jacksonville, N.C. and Mable C. Faison, Clinton, N.C.; two cousins and their children, Monty M. Faison (Leslye), Montoria C. Faison and Lexton A. Faison of Raleigh, N.C. and Equong Jones (James), Alisha Lewis and Karl Lewis of Philadelphia, PA, and many other close relatives and special friends; four other special people in Melody’s life were Mrs. Brenda Brown (who Melody considered as a second Mama), Mama Daisy, Aunt Ellen and Aunt Mae.
“Remaining balanced in the face of adversity
was its own reward, its own opportunity.
This is a lesson that has truly freed me.
My entire journey and experience with
cancer transformed my vision of the world
and my place in it. I realized I am not alone —
I am truly loved.”
Melody Whitaker-Hall
PLACE OF SERVICE:St. John Baptist Church (Outreach Center)
BURIAL:Armstrong Cemetery Gastonia, North Carolina
Originally from Clinton, North Carolina she was the much-beloved daughter of the late retired educators, William H. Whitaker Sr. and Elmer Faison Whitaker.
At an early age Melody jointed First Baptist Church in Clinton, North Carolina and later joined St. John Baptist Church after moving to Gastonia, North Carolina
Melody attended the Clinton City School System in North Carolina, along with her brother Dr. William H. Whitaker, Jr. Melody earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in Broadcast News from Bennett College and the Master of Arts degree in Human Resources Counseling from North Carolina A&T State University, both located in Greensboro, North Carolina.
During her nine years as Human Resources Manager in Charlotte, N.C., for Rooms to Go, Inc., Melody met her rock, soulmate, and the love of her life, Howard Hall Jr. Howard would soon become her loving husband and never leave her side during the difficult years of health issues that hastily followed.
Melody was first diagnosed October 2006 with stage 2 breast cancer, after which she endured a radical mastectomy, then six months of chemotherapy and radiation. The radical mastectomy was performed three days before she and Howard were married on May 4, 2007. During her fight against breast cancer, countless numbers of friends, family members, sorority sisters, fellow alumni, and supporters walked, ran, and prayed in her honor, attended guest appearances, and participated in infomercials sharing in the critical need of educating the masses about breast cancer information, awareness, and especially the dire need to find a cure.
Melody was honored, humbled, and so appreciative to experience the unwavering love and support from so many, including: First Baptist Church, St. John Missionary Baptist Church, sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, sorority sisters of Tau Beta Sigma National Honorary Band Sorority, fellow Bennett Belles, alumnae of Bennett College, fellow band members of The Blue and Gold Marching Machine and fellow Bulldogs of NC A&T State University, other friends, family members, and supporters from all over the world.
In 2008, Melody lost her mother, grandmother and mother-in-law within a six-month period. She was further devastated when her oncologist, Dr. Geoffrey Chapman at Oncology Specialists of Charlotte, informed her that her health meant she would not be able to have a child, a dream that had helped her face some of the challenges that seemed insurmountable at times. But according to God’s plan, on May 28, 2009, Melody delivered her miracle child, Lauren Gray Hall, a beautiful baby girl. Melody had a wonderful pregnancy with no complications, although she was considered high risk because of her cancer status.
Near Christmas 2011, once again Melody was faced with the fight of her life. She was diagnosed with stage four estrogen positive metastatic breast cancer on the same side as her radical mastectomy and had twenty-four lymph nodes removed. She may have asked herself, “Why me?” “What did I do wrong?” “Am I being punished?” but she realized her gift from God was her daughter Lauren, and she was determined to stay strong, encouraged and motivated to raise her daughter, just as her parents had raised her, despite many obstacles and adversities.
One of Melody’s college friends, Jenai Pridgen Childress, wrote the children’s book, My Beautiful Mommy about Lauren and named the central character, London Giselle Hall. Jenai wrote a second book, Kids Wear Pink Too, detailing the experience of a little girl whose parent is battling breast cancer and living with a parent who may be losing their battle with cancer. The books are designed to help children sort out their feelings and learn to cope with their parent’s deadly disease as it affects them.
Melody proudly wore pink because she felt the color pink was courageous and strong and would lead the way to a cure! Melody will be remembered as a nurturing mother, loving sister, devoted wife, steadfast friend, accomplished drummer and an amazing breast cancer survivor. Melody was always encouraged by and a witness that through strong faith you can deal with and conquer anything. Today, we celebrate her life and her legacy, which will live on forever.
Melody leaves to cherish precious memories her husband, Howard Hall, Jr. of the home; daughter, Lauren Gray Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; stepdaughter, Alexis N. Hall of Gastonia, N.C.; brother, William H. Whitaker, Jr. of Columbia, S.C.; two-aunts, Mattie G. Moseley of Jacksonville, N.C. and Mable C. Faison, Clinton, N.C.; two cousins and their children, Monty M. Faison (Leslye), Montoria C. Faison and Lexton A. Faison of Raleigh, N.C. and Equong Jones (James), Alisha Lewis and Karl Lewis of Philadelphia, PA, and many other close relatives and special friends; four other special people in Melody’s life were Mrs. Brenda Brown (who Melody considered as a second Mama), Mama Daisy, Aunt Ellen and Aunt Mae.
“Remaining balanced in the face of adversity
was its own reward, its own opportunity.
This is a lesson that has truly freed me.
My entire journey and experience with
cancer transformed my vision of the world
and my place in it. I realized I am not alone —
I am truly loved.”
Melody Whitaker-Hall
PLACE OF SERVICE:St. John Baptist Church (Outreach Center)
BURIAL:Armstrong Cemetery Gastonia, North Carolina
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