Verna and George were long time volunteers and Leadership Donors to United Way. In 1993, Verna received the Alexis de’ Tocqueville Award, United Way’s most prestigious recognition, in honor of her dedication and service; and in 2008, she was awarded the United Way President’s Spirit of Excellence Award. Verna’s other honors include the Tyler Junior College Apache Club Volunteer of the Year Award (1992); the President’s Citation Award from the University of North Texas (1992); Tyler Masonic Lodge #1233 Community Builder Award; East Texas Crisis Center honoree (2004); and recognized by the Women in Tyler as one of the “Women Who Care” (2014). Verna’s acts of giving stem from her belief that she received the richness of life by giving to others.
United Way of Smith County’s leadership giving program, the Admiral’s Club, was started in 1990 by Tylerite’s Norman Shtofman and Bill Martin. To memorialize Verna’s continued commitment to the work of United Way, the new leadership giving program debuted in 2014 as the Verna K Hall Leadership Circle and Verna was named Chair Emeritus.
Sadly, Verna passed away in the spring of 2024. But her spirit of generosity, kindness and servitude live on through the Leadership Circle named in her honor.