Our sister in Christ, Reverend Mary Ellis Hallman went to be with the Lord on August 20, 2012 in Bedford, VA. She was preceded in death by her mother, Katie D. Blair; stepfather, Othie T. Blair; sister, Jacqueline B. Gilchrist; two brothers, Carlton Payne, Sr. and Arthur "Snookie" Payne and spouse, Roger Hallman. Reverend Hallman was born on November 22, 1924 and grew up in Bedford Co. surrounded by the support and love of her family and friends. She became a member of Oakmulgee Baptist Church at an early age. In her late teens, she moved to Washington, D.C. During her early years in Washington, she worked odd part-time jobs until she received the blessing of a fulltime position as a housekeeper and nanny for a prominent local Physician. This later led her to a position working with the Housekeeping Department at the Pentagon. Her faith and confidence in God always guided her and gave her the mindset to think above her circumstances. This was manifested when she went back to school to study Nursing and Pharmacology and became a Forensic Psychiatric Technician at Saint Elizabeth Psychiatric Hospital, where she worked for almost 30 years until her retirement in 1987. She joined and was an active member of Unity Baptist Church in Washington, D. C. While there, she sang on the Adult Choir and participated in various church functions and activities. Her relationship with God grew; and she was nurtured and guided by God's loving spirit and called into the Ministry. She was ordained into the ministry after her retirement at Oakmulgee Baptist Church in 1987. Outside of her church life, she was a member of the Universal Masonic Brotherhood, Inc. and Order of Eastern Star; where she was once crowned, "Queen for the Day". Even after her retirement, not to become idle, she continued to work in the nursing profession as a private duty nurse to becoming Supervisor over the home health aides. She continued to serve and minister to others by being an active member of her home church as an Associate Pastor, Sunday School teacher, and President of the Ladies' Aide. She was also a member of the the Sunday School Union, NAACP, Bedford City/County Improvement Club and would participant in the Southern Minister's Conference. Her love of God; her faith and trust in Him; and showing herself, "worthy" by constantly being in and being surrounded by His word is a testament by the written prayers she placed in notebooks, in her Bibles and on pieces of paper throughout her home. She leaves to cherish many wonderful memories, a multitude of nieces and nephews; a dear and devoted friend through the years, Ms. Ruth Singleton; and a host of other relatives and friends. We will all miss her smile, her sense of humor, her warm hugs and kisses; her stories about the adventures she had and the people she met; her encouragement, acts of selflessness and words of wisdom to always ask God to bless any situation with His love; and knowing we must love and care for one another. To God be the Glory!