Grace Mildred (Hanks) Hall passed away Dec. 11, 2025, in Centralia, Washington, at the age of 100 years, 10 months and 10 days.
Grace was born Feb. 1, 1925, in Denton, Montana, to Ernest and Effie (Olson) Hanks. The Hanks family moved to Longview, Washington, in 1927, where Grace grew up and graduated from Kelso High School in 1942.
Grace married Philip Hall on Dec. 10, 1944, shortly before he was shipped overseas during World War II. After the war, Phil and Grace lived in the Longview-Kelso area before moving to Corvallis, Oregon, where Phil attended the Oregon State School of Pharmacy, graduating in 1953. Grace was a strong support for Phil during his college years, and they often said she earned her PHT, having “pushed hubby through.”
After holding several pharmacy positions, Phil began working at Pickett Drug Center in Centralia in 1956, which Phil and Grace purchased in 1959, renaming it Hall’s Drug Center a few years later. Grace was very active in the family business, working right alongside Phil during their careers. They were partners in life and business throughout all 67 years of their marriage.
After retiring in 1987, they sold the pharmacy to family and moved to Hartstine Island, fulfilling a longtime goal of living on the water. Friends and family enjoyed their generous hospitality and Grace’s delicious meals there. Phil and Grace moved to Olympia in 2001 to be closer to family in their later years.
As a young girl, Grace professed her commitment to serve the Lord and follow the teachings of Jesus as found in the Bible. She expressed the joy and comfort she knew from God through her love and care for others and by living according to God’s plan. She remained faithful to this commitment throughout her life.
Grace was preceded in death by her husband, Phil; all of her siblings; two grandsons; her parents; and many dear friends.
She is survived by three sons, Ronald Hall of Olympia, Douglas Hall of Tenino, and Steven (Lori) Hall of Woodinville; two daughters, Kathleen (Dennis) Thornton of Tonasket and Patricia (Mahlon) Hazelwood of Richland; 11 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; one sister-in-law, Phyllis Hall; and many nieces and nephews, along with her wonderful friends and all who knew the love of “Grandma Gracie.”
A funeral service will be held Jan. 9, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Sticklin-Brown Funeral Home, followed by burial at Claquato Cemetery in Chehalis at 1 p.m.
The Hall family would like to extend special thanks and appreciation to the staff at Coffee Creek Adult Family Home for the loving care they provided their mother during her final years, as well as for their support of the family.
