1935-2026
Mary Richardson Hall Driskill, 90, of Sanford, North Carolina, formerly of White Hall, Arkansas, went to be with her Lord Wednesday, April 15, 2026, surrounded by her family and care team.
She was born on August 20, 1935, in Bogue Chitto, Mississippi, to Hildery and Gladys (Adams) Richardson. Later, her family moved to Greenville, where her father pastored Deer Creek Pentecostal Church for many years.
In 1955, Mary married Robert Hall, and they relocated to Arkansas.
In the late 1960s, Mary owned the IGA City Market in White Hall for several years. She always enjoyed meeting people and became very fond of the White Hall community. Mary always believed “the customer is king” and became well-known for her business acumen. Many remember her notable accomplishment of successfully petitioning to establish a small postal station inside her store so the residents of the White Hall community would no longer have to make the trip to downtown Pine Bluff. She sold stamps and provided postal services, and while she made no profit from it, this exemplified the heart of service she had for her customers and community. Mary was always known for her kindness, compassion, and excellence as a businesswoman despite having no formal training outside of an entrepreneurial spirit.
In 1972, Mary married E.J. Driskill, whom she had first met as a customer in her store. Their blended family grew to seven children, and Mary chose to sell the store and devote herself full-time to homemaking. She excelled in preparing hearty meals for her large family, carrying on the traditions she had learned from her own mother. She was known for her homemade biscuits and for preparing wild game brought home by her sons, including squirrel, rabbit, and deer. After her children had all entered adulthood, Mary served as a custodian for the White Hall School District until she formally retired in 2003.
Mary and E.J., along with their family, attended Redfield United Pentecostal Church for several years, then later White Hall United Pentecostal Church. Their family took great joy in helping construct the new church building that still stands today. Mary faithfully served there as a Sunday School teacher for many years.
She and E.J. shared 33 years of marriage before his passing in 2005.
In 2009, Mary moved to North Carolina to live with her daughter and family. Jody and her family made certain Mary had everything she needed to feel at home, enjoy her community, and attend church in Lemon Springs. As Mary’s health declined, Jody faithfully carried the responsibilities of primary caregiver and designated appointee for her care. Though many family members lived at a distance, they supported Jody in every way they could through regular visits, frequent phone calls, encouragement, helping coordinate needs, sending cards and gifts, and standing beside her in love and gratitude for the care she so selflessly gave. In 2023, Mary entered Liberty Commons Nursing Facility, where she continued to receive devoted care. Her family extends heartfelt gratitude to Jody, Todd, Zac, and Jack for caring for her with excellence for many years, and to the staff of Liberty Commons for their compassion and kindness.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, E.J. Driskill; one brother, Johnny Richardson; two sisters, Lottie Taylor and Lena Bancroft; one son, Robert Driskill; and one daughter, Linda Driskill.
Survivors include two daughters, Dorothye Hall-Billingsley (David) of White Hall, Arkansas and Jody Clayman (Todd) of Sanford, North Carolina; three sons, Gordon Driskill (Vickie) of Star City, Arkansas, Glenn Driskill (Cindy) of Pine Bluff, Arkansas, and James Driskill of Kingsland, Arkansas; one sister, Evelyn Bass of Cleveland, Mississippi; 15 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Robinson and Fuller White Hall Funeral Chapel with Reverend Phillip Hedden officiating. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 5-7 p.m. at Robinson and Fuller.
Memorials may be made to Redfield United Pentecostal Church, PO Box 41, Redfield, AR 72132 or White Hall United Pentecostal Church, 7745 Sheridan Road, White Hall, AR 71602.
