Lillian Ruth Pryor

No one epitomized Celebrating Life like Lillian Ruth Pryor. She was vibrant, feisty, and full of life from her first day to her last. Born to Jack Hale and Lillian Hale on December 23, 1952, Lillian was the baby girl and child number 7 of 10 in the Hale clan. From day one she was a force to be reckoned with. “Lou” as she was affectionately known by many, graduated from East Highland High School in 1970 where she was a proud majorette.

After high school, 18-year-old Lillian met Gary Pryor and they married on March 7 th , 1971. Soon after, Gary was drafted into the Army and the couple began their journey of moving within the military, undoubtedly sparking Lillian’s lifelong passion for traveling. His military career took them all over the world including Anchorage, Alaska, Germany and Tacoma, Washington where they added to their family with their first child, daughter Ayanna in 1976. In 1982, their military travels uprooted them once more taking them to Reno, Nevada where they completed their family with a baby boy, son Allen. Although their union did not last, Gary and Lillian remained the best of friends throughout her life. Up until the very end, they spoke to each other faithfully every week.

Lillian was always a true people person. She was charismatic and had a magnetic personality that drew people in. She loved talking to and getting to know new people and NEVER met a stranger! This led her to a long and successful career in retail sales. She spent 10 years working for the Macy’s corporation in Orlando Florida and 25+ years working for the JC Penney’s corporation across multiple states including Virginia, Washington, Alaska, Nevada, finally retiring from their Hinesville, GA. location in 2000.

It was through her work at JC Penney’s that she met the love of her life in husband and lifelong partner of 31 years, Larry Hall. This relationship sealed their family with the addition of Larry’s daughters Denise Pohlmann and Laura Jahnke. Larry proved to be the PERFECT companion for her as his love for traveling was just as great as hers. Over the years, Lillian and Larry have visited all 50 states, multiple countries, and toured numerous NFL, MLB, and Collegiate stadiums. When asked what her favorite destination was, her response was always, “whatever new place is next.” She did however have an affinity for Hawaii and spoke fondly of their travels there.

Outside of traveling across the world, Lillian enjoyed simple pleasure like going to the movies, lunch with friends, watching game shows (and yelling at the contestants!). She loved shopping…as long as it involved a deal! When she was having a good day, she would get you to take her to Ross’s and go up and down every single aisle shopping for deals.

It has been said that Lillian missed her calling because she clearly should have been a comedian! Those that knew her can attest to just how funny she was; always laughing and joking and finding something smart or silly to say. Her laugh and her smile were infectious, and she brought joy to all those around her. During the last month of her life while still hospitalized, Lillian’s nursing staff, therapists and doctors became unavoidably attached to her; many of them requesting shifts to be able to work with her.

On her last day, several members of her medical team and hospital staff gathered in her room to pay their respects and, at her passing, sobbed in the halls right alongside family. That is the kind of effect Lillian had on the lives of others; forever impacting those around her whether she knew them for a lifetime or for a moment.

Lillian is preceded in death by her father Jack Hale, mother Lillian Hale, brothers John Earl Hale, Virgil “Webbie” Lawson, Jerry Hale and Donald Hale, sister Mary Florence Carpenter, sisters-in-law Mildred​.

Lawson, Sadie Hale and Sylvia Hale, brother-in-law Samuel Jacob Carpenter, grandson Raymond Jerdary “RJ” Carver, and her best friend & “sister” Janice Guyton.

Left to forever cherish her memory are her loving & faithful husband of 31 years, Larry Hall, ex-husband Gary Pryor, her children daughter Ayanna Carver (Raymond), son Allen Pryor (Annie), stepdaughters Denise Pohlmann (Fred) and Laura Jahnke (Rick), brothers Jesse Hale (Alma), Benjamin Hale (Josephine), Lawrence Hale (Pat), and Victor Hale, sister-in- law Delores Hale, 19 grandchildren: Deaundre, Alayna and Darius Adams, Taylor Kelley, Jaylen Pryor, Teyona Moore-Carver and Rayna Carver, Cheyenne and Cassie Carroll, Marc, Chris, Jon, Jacob, Steven, and Geoffrey Pohlmann, Luke, Christine, Travis and Brandon Jahnke, 9 great-grandchildren and a host of beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and loved ones.

No amount of time with her would have been enough for her family, friends and loved ones and we are all forever grateful for the time that we were blessed with her.

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