Wilhelmina D. Hall

Wilhelmina Inez Dye Hall was born on February 27, 1928, in Elberton, GA, to William and Louvenia Dye. The family moved to Albany, GA, when Wilhelmina was 3 months old, where she would remain for life.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in business education at Hampton University, she subsequently earned two master’s degrees and followed her parents into a career in education. Wilhelmina spent 22 years as a classroom teacher before becoming the first human resources director for the Dougherty County School System where she remained until retirement.

Wilhelmina married the love of her life, childhood friend, Jack Hall in 1949. They were married 67 years before his death in 2016. Their union bore one daughter, Denise, who was born and raised in Albany.

Wilhelmina was an avid reader as a child and longed to visit the public library in Albany, however, she was not allowed inside because of the color of her skin. Despite that, Wilhelmina never let the indignities and unfair laws of racism hold her back or harden her heart. She went on to live an incredible life of service, community activism, church and civic service and was dedicated to improving the city in which she grew up. She was a trailblazer and a pioneer, going on to become the first African American member of numerous community organizations and served on many boards in Albany including the Girl Scout Council, Carnegie Library, Catholic Women’s Council of St. Teresa’s, The Little Theater of Albany, Dougherty County Teacher’s Credit Union, Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital Board of Directors, the Phoebe Putney Health Systems Board, and the Hospital Authority of Albany-Dougherty County to name a few. She was a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and enjoyed membership in several social clubs in Albany. Further, she was privileged and honored to have had an audience with Pope Paul VI in Rome, Mother Teresa, and President George Bush Sr., in the Oval Office of the White House.

Wilhelmina volunteered in the Albany Movement and worked with Rev. Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. during his time leading the Civil Rights Movement in Albany. This period of her life profoundly impacted her and influenced her involvement in the community of Albany, Georgia, which she loved dearly.

She will be remembered for her intellect, servant’s heart, kind and humble spirit, compassionate heart, and never-ending commitment to any- and everything she did! One of her mottos to the many young students she taught and mentored: “Always do, be and look your very best.”

“Mena,” as she was affectionately called, is survived by her daughter, Denise H. Winkfield (husband, Rudolph); her three grandsons, Stefan Winkfield, Kyle Winkfield (deceased) (wife, Ashley), and Reginald Winkfield (wife, Shantel); her six great-grandchildren, Aiden Winkfield, Kendall Winkfield, Jackson Winkfield, Cooper Winkfield, Skylar Winkfield, and Julian Winkfield; nephew, Reginald Maynor (wife, Brenda); niece, Brenda Hall Smith (and family); sister-in-law, Irma Hall Deal; the Dye Family; cousins, Florance Battle, Faith England, Calvin Gantt, Rose Gantt, Ann Morse, and Emma Smith; Godmother and lifelong friend, Mary L. Jones, and Godson, Alan Jones (wife, Maria).