Uncle Al

Sadly, right after we got back from Atlanta, we found out that his uncle Al had passed away.  And no matter how busy life is, those are the moments we pause and reflect.  Bill joined his family at the funeral in Jackson Misssissippi.

We dedicate the rest of this blog to uncle Al.  I've only met and talked to him a couple of times, since his rarely came to he family functions I attended, because his wife has had COPD for many years and is unable to make long trips.  I wish I had known him better.  Here is uncle Al's obituary.

Dr. Alton Venson Hallum Jr.

 Dr. Alton Venson Hallum, Jr. passed away peacefully at UMMC on Monday morning, the 21st of July, 2014 with loving family members present. He was seventy-seven years young. A Requiem Eucharist will be celebrated at the Cathedral of St. Andrew in Jackson, Mississippi on Friday, July 25th at 1:00 PM with visitation in the parish hall beginning at noon. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Georgia. 

Alton Venson "Al" Hallum, Jr. was born December 20, 1936 as the second child and only son to Dr. Alton Venson "Pappy" Hallum, Sr. and Mrs. Helen Carroll Hallum of Atlanta, GA. An avid lover of the outdoors and of all sports, he was an Eagle Scout and attended Woodberry Forest School in Virginia, where he was a left-handed pitcher for the varsity baseball team. He was also a life-long fan of the Atlanta Braves, and loved attending games at Turner Field with his adoring wife of fifty-five years, Elaine Ward Hallum, and their grandchildren.

Al Hallum received both his undergraduate degree and his medical degree from Emory University in Atlanta. Following his residency program in Jacksonville, FL, he became a captain in the U.S. Air Force, and served as a physician and field surgeon in the Philippine Islands during the Vietnam conflict, often volunteering to fly with Medevac transports to retrieve wounded personnel. Upon his return to the U.S. following his honorable discharge from the military, he completed his training at Grady Memorial Hospital before embarking upon a lengthy and successful career as a well-renowned OB-GYN in the greater Atlanta Metro area. The medical care of expectant mothers and the joy of bringing new life into the world gave him a very deep and lasting sense of professional satisfaction.

Even greater than the rewards of his profession, Al Hallum enjoyed the fulfillment that came from his devotion to his family, with whom he loved to travel all across the nation he held so dear. Of particular appeal were trips out west to visit The Grand Canyon, to go on horse-packing trips in the "Big Sky Country" of Montana, and to attend hot-air balloon festivals in New Mexico. These journeys served not only to create enduring family memories, but also afforded Al the opportunity to pursue his passion for photography. His favorite subjects were naturally his loved ones and beautiful landscapes.

Al and Elaine Hallum retired to Big Canoe, GA in 1998 where they made numerous fun-loving friends, and became very active in their parish life at The Episcopal Church of the Holy Family. Even in retirement, Al continued to enjoy rounds of golf and card games with his buddies, and was always quick with a smile and a twinkle in his eye as he shared a good joke, most of which could not be printed in this column. With an intense desire to give back to his community, Al and a select group of friends embarked upon an endeavor to create a charitable medical facility to serve the surrounding areas of Pickens County, GA. Out of this ambition The Good Samaritan Health and Wellness Center was founded and continues to offer care to local patients. In December 2013, Al and Elaine relocated from Big Canoe to be nearer their daughter Holli and her family in Jackson, MS. They moved into The Blake at Flowood, where they quickly found a new group of good friends among fellow residents, staff and administrators. All of these diverse facets of Al Hallum's abundant life combine to form a legacy which his family, friends and loved-ones will cherish always. 

Alton Venson Hallum, Jr. was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Alton Venson Hallum, Sr. and Mrs. Helen Carroll Hallum. He is survived by the love of his life and his wife of fifty-five years Elaine Ward Hallum; his sisters Sheron Hallum Williams (the late Ben Williams), Helen Hallum Graham (Jack), and Susan Hallum Trotter (Bill); his children Francine Ward Liles (Lee), Dr. Alton Venson "Hank" Hallum, III (Jenny), and Holli Hallum Roach (Dan); his grandchildren Molly Choate Carmichael (Lee), Justice Choate, Sam Hallum, Claire Hallum, Jacob Hallum, Patrick Roach (Marci), Andrew Roach, Madalyn Roach, and Alton Hallum "Jace" Roach; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews.