Beloved Ocala Educator Jean Hall, 89, Remembered for Her Legacy

Ocala, Florida, USA - On June 23, 2025, the community lost a beloved figure, Jean N. Hall, who lived a rich life and left behind a caring family. Born in Dallas, Texas, Jean was the daughter of Arthur Raymond Needham and Ima Jean (Bellamy) Needham. After marrying in 1956, she made her way to Florida, where her heart truly flourished.

Jean’s journey took another significant turn when she remarried Brent Hall in 1970, gaining not only a partner but also three stepchildren. Throughout her career, she was known for her dedication in various secretarial roles, ultimately retiring from Marion County Public Schools in Ocala. Her days were filled with various passions; gardening, DIY projects, reading, and crossword puzzles kept her busy, and more than anything, she cherished time spent with her family and friends.

A Legacy of Family

Jean is survived by her daughters, Kimberly Wooldridge and Melissa Mosher, as well as her son, William “Billy” Campbell. She also leaves behind her three stepchildren, Tina Hall, Kyle Hall, and Brent S. Hall, along with six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Sadly, she was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Lori Paddock, and grandson Benjamin Paddock.

Jean’s story reflects a broader narrative about remarriage that’s been evolving in America over the decades. In recent years, the landscape of marriage has seen many twists and turns. In 2022, around 23% of all adults who married were stepping down the aisle for a second time, a substantial drop from historical figures, as reported by the Bowling Green State University’s National Center for Family & Marriage Research. Remarriage rates fell from 50 per 1,000 previously married adults in 1990 to 24.1 per 1,000 in 2022.

Interestingly, this trend diverges when we look at different age groups. For instance, individuals aged 20-24 saw their remarriage rate plunge from 237.5 in 1990 to just 101.8 in 2022—a decrease of over 50%. Meanwhile, those aged 65 and older have seen their remarriage rate rise slightly from 4.6 to 5.1 per 1,000. This indicates that older adults are increasingly likely to remarry after divorce or loss, perhaps reflecting longer life expectancies that encourage such decisions.

Changing Times

The Pew Research Center highlights that while younger folks under 35 are not jumping into remarriages with the same eagerness as previous generations, older adults are more inclined to take that step. In fact, among adults aged 55 to 64, the remarriage likelihood jumped from 55% in 1960 to 67% in 2013. This shift hints not only at changing societal norms but also hints that many are ready to embrace love once again, even later in life.

But the data isn’t just numbers; it tells a story. It’s a tale of resilience and hope, of finding companionship even after life’s tough turns. With the gender gap in decisions around marriage and remarriage remaining apparent, the dynamics show that a considerable percentage of eligible men still consider remarrying—64% compared to 52% of women. This variation marks a fascinating evolution in the social fabric of relationships across generations.

As we remember Jean N. Hall and her contributions to the lives of those around her, it’s also a moment to reflect on how relationships grow and adapt over time. Jean’s life and familial bonds remind us that the heart has a remarkable capacity for love, no matter what stage of life we find ourselves in.

In sum, whether young or old, our pursuit of love doesn’t truly fade; it simply changes form, and perhaps, as demonstrated by the growing rates of remarriage among older adults, it becomes richer and more meaningful with experience.

For more insights into the demographics of remarriage, visit Ocala News, BGSU, or Pew Research.