Dr. Harold B. Hall, former Dean of Students and Associate Professor of Counselor Education at Mississippi State University, died on December 11, 2014, in Tupelo, Mississippi. Visitation will be held at Welch Funeral Home on Saturday, December 13, from 5:00-7:00pm. Funeral services will be held at Emmanuel Baptist Church on Sunday, December 14, at 2:00pm, followed by Graveside Services at Memorial Garden Park.

Dr. Hall was born on January 6, 1929, in Guntown, Mississippi. His parents were the late Jettie Copeland Hall and Victor H. Hall. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Marion Cartledge Hall. Dr. Hall is survived by his daughter, Amy (Bobby) Sorrell of Starkville and his son, Hal (Renee) of Southaven. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Andrea Irvin and fiancée Brad Singleton, Will Irvin, Trinity (Kody) Knight, Patsy Sorrell, Jessie Sorrell, Haleigh Hall, Lillie Beth Hall, Haley Brown, Austin Brown, and his great- granddaughter, Valie Sorrell. In addition, Dr. Hall is survived by a special niece, Susan ( Bob) Low of Vienna, VA. Other survivors include numerous beloved cousins from Baldwyn, MS and Texas, as well as a special cousin, Charles Hall, from Tupelo. He leaves his, "Lady friend" of 7 years, "Miss Libby" Harpole.

A native of Baldwyn, Mississippi, Dr Hall and his family became permanent residents of Starkville in August, 1963.

Dr. Hall graduated from Baldwyn High School in 1948. He graduated from Northeast Mississippi Community College with a BA Degree in 1950. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree from State College, Mississippi, in 1952, and a master's degree in Educational Administration from Mississippi State University in 1955. Dr. Hall later received a PhD in Administration of Student Personnel Services with minor emphasis in Counseling and Psychology, from the University of Missouri, Columbia Campus.

He spent his entire professional life as an educator, beginning his teaching career at Tunica County High School in 1952, teaching in the Social Sciences. After teaching two and one-half years at Tunica, he became a professor at Mississippi Delta Junior College, at Moorhead, Mississippi in 1955, and remained there until 1963. While at MSU Delta Jr. College, he also served as Principal of Moorhead High School and Public Relations Director of the college along with his teaching responsibilities.

When he and his Family moved to Starkville in 1963, he served in the following positions at Mississippi State University: Coordinator of Student Activities from 1963-65, Dean of Men from 1965-1971, and Dean of Students from 1971 until his retirement in 1993. In addition to his administrative duties, he was also Associate Professor of Counselor Education from 1971 until his retirement.

As Dean, he was in charge of all student discipline for the entire campus and was the administrator over five major departments: The Student Union, The Intramural Department, The Counseling Center, Special Students' Services and The Career Development Center.


As Associate Professor of Counselor Education, he was the major professor for, and served on many doctoral students' committees. Additionally, Dr. Hall taught The Legal Aspects of Student Personnel Services in Higher Education.

Dr. Hall was in a unique position during his career at MSU. He served as the second Dean of Men and the first Dean of Students in the history of the University.
Professionally, he was a member of The Southern Association for College Student Affairs, and a member of the American Personnel and Guidance Association, serving as vice- president of Commission One. Dr. Hall was President of the Southern Association for College Student Affairs and served as the first Director of Placement for the Association for ten years. He was also honored by becoming a member of Who's Who in American Higher Education. In March, 2013, Dr Hall was inducted into MSU's Robert L. Jones Student Affairs Hall of Honor as a "tribute to those who positively impact our campus community and exemplify commitment to a rich and vibrant student life".

Dr. Hall's career included many responsibilities and honors as follows: President of the Moorhead Rotary Club, member of the Starkville Rotary Club, member and board member of the Moorhead and Starkville Chamber of Commerce, board member of the Delta Area Boy Scout Council in Clarksdale, member and past president of the Pushmataha Area Boy Scout Council in Columbus, former member of the Starkville Area Salvation Army Board, member of the MSU Alumni Association, member of the MSU Bulldog Club, and served as Chairman of the Starkville United Way.

Church and his Family were important parts of his life. His service to the Church included serving on the Administrative Board of the First United Methodist Church and teaching Sunday School in the Wesley Fellowship Class for thirty-five years. He was an active member of Emmanuel Baptist Church's Older Adult Sunday School Class.

Dr. Hall's students remember him because he was always fair, always had time to listen to and help them with their problems. Many of his former students still live by his motto, "Good things happen to good people".

Pallbearers will be Andrew Rendon, Mike Bolen, Stewart Teague, Brad Singleton, Kody Knight, Brandon Chandler and Scott Tyler. Honorary Pall bearers: His Hardee's Coffee Club Friends, The Older Adult Sunday School Class at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Dr. Roy Ruby and Dr. Bill Foster.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to The Harold B. Hall Emergency Fund for Students at MSU c/o Andrew Rendon at Student Affairs at MSU or The Mississippi Children's Home Society.