Frankie Byrd Hall

Frankie Byrd McGehee Hall was born on October 20, 1941, and departed this life on July 5, 2025. She put a lot of life into her 83 years. It has often been said “there is only one Frankie” and if you were lucky enough to know her, you know that is true. Frankie was born to Tate and Vaughn McGehee and grew up in New Edinburg; a place she called home for most of her life. She earned a teaching degree from UAM and taught first grade for over 20 years. While teaching and raising a family, she went back to school at Henderson State, earning a Master’s Degree, and became the Kingsland elementary school principal. She loved teaching and showing people she cared about them, something her mother taught her well.

She married Buddy Hall in 1972 and together they raised four children, herded cattle, and helped build a community. Frankie knew how to love people where they were. She loved each of her children individually. She knew how to support them and help them find their own way. As a MawMaw, she was second to none. What those babies wanted, those babies got.

And she loved others like that. She was known as ‘Aunt Frankie’ to more people than her nieces and nephews. Being a good Aunt to her meant she cared about you enough to let you know when you’re off course and help you correct it.

As a member of the Hebron Community, she wanted to make sure the church was The Church to everyone. She was well aware of the need for a relationship with Jesus; that your works don’t save you, but they should reflect your salvation. If you wanted to know Jesus, you were welcome to come sit next to her and meet Him. She understood the necessity of community and helping your neighbor.

Frankie loved to laugh. She found joy in the midst of heartache and that may have been one of the best things she passed down to each of her children. She had a great laugh, too. If she was telling a story of something funny, it was going to take a while because she’d laugh all through it. She trashed talked with her grandkids playing rummy and passed along her skills at blackjack to them, too. She loved a game so much in her childhood that she became known to her oldest friends as ‘Tilly’. Frankie loved to go and support and cheer her grandkids and great grandkids at whatever they were doing.

Frankie is survived by her four children: Keith (Robin) Love of Frierson, LA; Tracy Brashears of Pine Bluff, AR; Jason (Carrie) Hall of New Edinburg; and Amanda (Mick) Deel of Jonesboro, AR. Her stepdaughter Donna (Barry) Gabbard of Foreman, AR. Her grandchildren: SaraJane (Logan) Hancock of Monticello, AR; Kaitlyn (Ed) Weeks of Monticello, AR; Allyson Love of Shreveport, LA; Austin Hopper of Springfield, MO, Tate and Saydee Hall of New Edinburg, AR, Shannon and Ruby Deel of Jonesboro, AR, Emily (Paul) Ward of Conway, and Tiffany (Austin) Oglesby of Maumelle, Zoey Gabbard of Foreman, AR. Great Grandchildren: Madison, Ella Jane, Anna, Ava, Addison, Brooklyn, Asher, and Margot. A special caretaker and friend, Clara Parkman. Many nieces and nephews. And her many friends, some of whom have been with Frankie for over 75 years.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her husband of forty years, Buddy Hall, her brother, Charles ‘Sonny’ Kemper, and her son-in-law, Jimmy Brashears.

There will be a visitation from 11am - 12Noon on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at Hebron Church in New Edinburg. Funeral Services will begin at 12Noon also at Hebron Church. There will be a lunch open to all immediately following the funeral services.

In lieu of flowers, the children ask that you give to your local food bank or to the Hebron Church (350 Mitchell Lane, Kingsland, AR 71652) in honor of their precious mother.

Arrangements are by Benton Funeral Home of Fordyce. To sign the online register visit www.bentonfuneralhome.net .