Anita Marie (Goby) Hall

Anita Marie (Goby) Hall, age 97, of Litchfield, formerly of Raymond, passed away November 10, 2024, at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield, Illinois.

Anita was born to her parents Gus T. and Stella (Smith) Goby on December 7, 1926, in Taylorville, Illinois.

She graduated as co-valedictorian of her Raymond class of 1943 and later went on to Mac Murray College in Jacksonville. She graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 1947. She started her working career at the State of Illinois working in Personnel in Springfield and Champaign and eventually came back to Raymond to start her teaching career. Anita taught at both the High School and Jr. High in Raymond for over 30 years, retiring in 1985.

She loved to read all her life, mastering crossword puzzles daily. After retirement she worked in Lincoln Land Community College Literacy program helping adults reach their reading goals. Cooking and baking were another favorite pastime which she mastered expertly. An avid fan of the STL Cardinals and Fighting Illini, she rooted on both grandsons even more. She was talented in art, music, writing and speaking encouraging her students to hone their skills in each. Many students of hers say she was their favorite.

Anita was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Raymond and served as Elder and on the Pastoral Search Committee. She was also a member of the IEA-NEA (Illinois Education Association), the Women’s Card Club, and the Doyle Library Board.

Anita married Bruce Hall on June 14, 1947, at the First Presbyterian Church in Raymond and he preceded her in death on February 27, 2012.

She is survived by her daughter Christine (Mark) Meisner of Raymond, Grandchildren Thomas (Sarah) and Eric, Great-Grandchildren Caleb (Alicia) and Taylor, as well as a Great-Great-Grandchild Madelynn.

Anita was preceded in death by her parents, husband Bruce, her infant son Alan Hall on November 9, 1951, as well as siblings Gerald and Kenneth Goby.

Memorials in Anita’s honor may be directed to the First United Presbyterian Church of Raymond, the Doyle Public Library District, and/or the Panhandle Educational Foundation.

A Funeral Service for Anita Hall will be held on November 15, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at A Community of Faith Church in Raymond, Illinois. A Visitation will be held starting from 12:30 P.M. until the time of service. Burial will follow in Asbury Cemetery in Raymond. Pastor Lorna Blackford of A Community of Faith Church will be officiating.

Hough Funeral Home in Raymond is in charge of arrangements.

Condolences may be left online at www.houghfuneralhome.com.