I started working as a laborer for the Atlanta Board of Education where I dug ditches for plumbers. This
was during a time of segregation where a laborer was not allowed to touch a plumber’s tools. If they
did, the person would be fired on the spot. After the laws changed, I became an apprentice plumber in
1968, then after training and certification, became the first Black plumber at the Atlanta Board of
Education in 1969. I worked there until 1982, which is when I took an early retirement then started
working for myself as a plumber.
My youngest son, Howard, left his white-collar job in 1986 and joined me in business, which is when the
Hall & Son Plumbing Company was started. We have done many huge plumbing projects including all
the plumbing for several Target Stores (Atlantic Station, Kennesaw, Conyers, Atlanta, etc.). The most
recent project right before COVID-19, was the Fort Valley State College’s 4-story science building.
I’m proud to have passed this profitable trade on to 3 sons and 3 grandsons. I’m very proud of my family
who have been blessed to work in their own businesses. Family is everything! I am one of 14 siblings;
was married 58 years to my lovely wife, Ruby B. Hall; have 8 children (5 boys and 3 girls); 22
grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Christian education was important to my late wife and I. All of my children attended Adventist schools
(Berean Christian Junior Academy (BCJA), Georgia Cumberland Academy, and Oakwood University).
At one time I had 7 children in BCJA at the same time.
In 1961 one of my co-workers, Theodore Thompson, would talk about the Bible and about Sis. Ellen G.
White when we were working. I would go home and read the bible for myself, because some of what he
would say wasn’t what I was taught. At the time, I was a deacon in the Baptist Church. One Friday, he
invited me to go to church on Saturday. I told him that was my drinking day; however, I then decided to
try it out. The Berean church was on Ashby Street. The church service was so smooth, I felt like I was in
another world; but really enjoyed it. The second time I attended, Pastor H.L. Cleveland (E.E. Cleveland’s
brother) was preaching, I don’t know when I got up, but when I came to myself, I had joined the church.
There was a Bible Worker who came to the house and gave me and my wife Bible studies. My wife
joined 3 months later. The rest is history!
I was Berean’s Head Deacon for 15 years (across the street); and have been an Elder since 1996.