Charlotte Joe Hall passed away March 17, 2023, comforted by his family and faith, content in knowing he lived by the principles he held sacred: hard work, integrity, and honor. He was 87 years old.
Joe was born on March 22, 1935, the son of Joe and Lucille McGowen Hall. He grew up in Belmont, working in the family peach orchard and then in a local textile mill when he turned 16. Later, he spent teen-age summers working at Carolina Pad & Paper, the school supply company his father started in 1945.
He became the third generation in his family to graduate from Davidson College, earning a B.S. degree in Economics in 1956. Like so many of his generation, Joe served his country for four years in the U.S. Navy, attending Officer Candidate School in 1956. Following this service, he was in the active reserve until he met his wife, Sally Ann Pierce, whom he married in 1964. They put down roots in Charlotte, raised three children, and shared a wonderful life until cancer took her in 2005.
Joe devoted his career to Carolina Pad, rising to the position of owner and CEO, traveling the world to buy products, making lifelong friends with customers, and sealing deals with a handshake. He spent considerable time in South America, China, and India, being one of the first school manufacturers to develop partnerships with suppliers in those areas. Before retiring in 2002, he built the business from a regional company to one with national distribution. He served on the board of the School and Paper Products Association and was presented with a national award in 1994 for contribution to the industry.
After his first wife, Sally Ann, passed away he was fortunate enough to find Heidi Layton, whose husband had passed away in 2006. Joe and Heidi married in May of 2008.
Joe is survived by his wife, Heidi; his three children, Spencer Hall Guthery of Charlotte, and her children, Allen and Henry Guthery, Katherine “Kitty” Hall of Charlotte, Rev. Dr. Joseph Kirkland Hall IV and his wife Amy of Salisbury, CT, and their children, Fae and Evelyn Hall; Joe’s sister, Jane Hall Coley, and her husband Bill, of Charlotte; Heidi’s children, Gil Layton of Parker, CO, and his children, Catherine and Sam Layton, Dr. Thomas Layton and his wife Anne of Charlotte, and their children, James, Thomas, and Ellie Layton; Heidi Berger and her husband Chris of Charlotte, and their children, Molly and Lucy Berger. He is also survived by his cousin and close friend, Emily Hall Bigger and her husband Bill, of Raleigh.
Joe Hall lived a wonderful and full life. He enjoyed and supported Opera Carolina and the Charlotte Symphony, loved spending winters in Florida and summers at Grandfather Mountain, and traveled all over the world for work and pleasure, always learning and appreciating other cultures. Joe was very easy-going, he loved life and his many friends. He was interested in everyone he met and never had an unkind word to say about anyone.
A service to celebrate his well-lived life will be held at 10am on Saturday, March 25 at Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte. Visitation will follow at the church.
The family greatly appreciates the care and concern of friends. Anyone wishing to make a memorial gift may do so to Myers Park United Methodist Church, 1501 Queens Road, Charlotte, NC 28207 or the charity of the donor’s choice.
The family is also deeply grateful for the love and excellent care shown by Dr. Jane Harrell, the staff at Sharon Towers, Hospice of Charlotte, and McEwen Funeral Service.