Obituary of Mattie L. Hall

Mattie L Hall, 87, passed away on July 25, 2020. She was born to parents Mary Eubanks and Norman Hale on March 18, 1932 in Lynchburg, Virginia. She graduated from Dunbar High School Class of 1949. Like most Black women during her era mom started working as a domestic worker. She also worked at RCA and the Veterans Administration for several years. Mattie began her entrepreneur journey when she collaborated with my dad (Edward J. Hall, deceased 04/04/1992 ) in his dry cleaning business. For over 30 years mom worked beside her husband and family to create one of the most prestigious cleaners in Harlem, Tarhill Cleaners. Yes, Eddie and Mattie were what is known as the consummate power couple! Tarhill Cleaners, synonymous with the Jeffersons, which the family was often teased and called. Our last name was changed from Hall to Tarhill by the community. In 1978 the casino industry started in Atlantic City NJ, so mom and dad ventured into what’s now called the B&B business and opened a guest house located in Pleasantville NJ. I never saw a woman work so hard to accomplish what she envisioned. As I look back I realize that mom and dad were a part of Harlem's history and culture and it took faith in God, family, friends, community, hard work and perseverance to achieve success in their goals, no matter how big or small. Ms. Mattie will truly be missed, but always remembered. We love you Mom. Say hello to Dad, David, William, Sonny, Great Grandma Carrie, Grandma Mary, Grandma Hannah, Grandpa Norman, Grandpa Charlie (tell him I said "Helen said no telling Paul said try them all), Auntie Louise, Ida, Mary, Uncle Bobby, Duval and all of our family that have gone up yonder. Mattie is survived by her two sons Roy Coleman(Pamela Westbrook) and Tyrone N. Hall(Olakunle Oludina), daughter Helen Hall-Rivers; sisters Mary Grace Penn, Lillian Graves, Willie Davis(Ernie Davis) and Mildred Eubanks; brothers Dan Hale(Cindy Hale) and Jack Coleman; grandchildren Jessica Coleman, Terrence Hall, Nico Rivers, and Nia Rivers; A host of nieces, nephews, great grands and other family members and friends.