27/12/2022
Doris Hall (nee Smoot) passed away peacefully at her home in Logan Township New Jersey on December 23, 2022. Born in Wilmington, N.C., she moved to Logan Township in 1977, coming from Franklin Township. Doris was a graduate of Williston High School, Wilmington, NC, Class of ’59 and Shaw University in Raleigh, NC. She was a Councilwoman for Logan Township from 1980 and was just recently re-elected for another term in office. She was the first Afro-American woman to be Deputy Mayor for Logan Township. She was also on the Logan Township Planning Board, Chairperson for Logan Township Parks and Recreation and the Executive Democratic chairperson for Logan Township for District 2 from 1980 to 2007. Doris was employed as a bookkeeper for Wheatland Company in Collingswood for 18 years, retiring in 2005. She was a member of St. Clare of Assisi Parish and her greatest joy was in her singing. Gifted with a beautiful voice she gave back to the Glory of God by singing in the Church Choir. She became Music Director for St. Joseph’s Church in 1990, began and directed a Children’s Choir at the church and became the Church Cantor, singing for masses, weddings, and funerals. Hearing Doris sing the Ave Maria just took your breath away and a dry eye was hard to find. She also was the coordinator of the Christmas Concerts held each year at St. Joseph’s Church and now St. Clare of Assisi Parish. She was a Charter member of the K of C Columbiettes, Chapter 7526 and held the position of Financial Secretary. Doris spread her wings and became a charter member of the Jubilato Deo Choir and with this group sang in Carniege Hall, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Their Easter and Christmas Concerts were applauded by everyone. She also joined the Cathedral Singers of Camden and with them she traveled to Rome and sang at a Mass with Pope Paul VI and also traveled with this group to Paris, France for a concert. Doris was also a member and cantor for the Camden Diocesan Choir.
Doris is survived by her son, Walter, grandsons, Reggie II, Antoine and Jamar. She was predeceased by her husband George and her son Reggie (Fudge). Mass of Christian Burial will be 7 PM on Thursday December 29th at St. Joseph’s Church, St. Clare of Assisi Parish, 140 Broad Street; Swedesboro, New Jersey. A viewing will be held at the church on Thursday from 4 – 7 PM. She will be laid to rest next to her husband George at Rosehill Cemetery, Linden, NJ. The Mass will be livestream at stclarenj.org, Thursday at 7 PM. Contributions in her memory can be sent directly to the Cheega Funeral Home, 1329 Kings Highway, Swedesboro, NJ 08085 to help with expenses.
