Edwina Ruth Demby Hall was born on August 12, 1945, in Natchez, Mississippi, to the late Mr. and Mrs. James Clifton and Theresa Demby, Sr. She was the sixth of nine children born to the couple. Esther, as her family called her, was raised in Vidalia, Louisiana. She attended Concordia Parish Training School, Concord High School and became the first member of her family to attend college.

Edwina graduated from Grambling State University with a Bachelor of Science in 1968. She later received a Master of Education from McNeese State University in 1974. On April 4, 1968 she received a three-year Teaching Certificate enabling her to teach Louisiana Elementary Grades 1-8. The Louisiana State Department of Education later issued two additional Teaching Certificates valid for life.

After undergrad, Edwina moved to Lake Charles, LA where she met the love of her life, John Louis Hall III. The two became one flesh on August 15, 1970. A few years later, the Lord opened her womb, and she gave birth to their only child, Elliott Qubek Hall. The couple lived happily together for over 31 years until they were ultimately separated by death. She never remarried.

Edwina was passionate about the growth and development of children. In 1968 she began her teaching career at Combre Elementary. She was later transferred to Moss Bluff Elementary where she served as a 3 ^rd grade teacher for many years. Edwina was once recognized as 'Teacher of Week' by the Moss Bluff News. From 1986-1987, she worked as a Supervising Teacher for McNeese State University, mentoring education students in their final semesters of college. Edwina later became an Elementary Curriculum Specialist, travelling to conventions across the United States. After 48 years of service, she retired from the Calcasieu Parish School Board.

As a member of the Lake Charles Chapter of Top Ladies of Distinction Incorporated, Edwina participated in numerous community service projects. In February of 1982, she served as chairman of the group's senior citizens committee. She also served as committee head of the organization's "Adopt a Senior Citizen" project.

Edwina became a member of the Lake Charles Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated on March 5, 1982. She dedicated a spare bedroom as her red and white 'Delta Room,' proudly displaying various sorority memorabilia. However, at least one, if not several elephants could be found in every other room of her home.

Edwina was also an active member of Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church. She served as First Vice President of the Women Mission Society (WMS). In 1999 she co-founded the Jessie L. Hayes Circle of WMS. She was elected President and presided for 23 years since the circle's inception, subsequent merge with the Mary Moultrie Circle and renaming as the Mary E. Richardson/Medora Laws Circle. Edwina was also a member of the Sanctuary Choir, Clothes Give-Away Committee, Women Conference Chair and Buy A Brick Project for Bell Tower Chair. On May 13, 2012 she received the church's annual Mother Spirit Award.

Memories of Edwina will forever remain in the hearts of her son, Elliott Qubek Hall Sr. and daughter-in-law Monique Brooks Hall, of Zachary, LA; three grandchildren, Kristofer Sherman Hayman of Henderson, NV, Emerald JohNeal Hall, of Zachary, LA and Elliott Qubek Hall Jr. of Zachary, LA; one brother, Melvin Demby (Rose) of Vidalia, LA; one sister, Theresa Demby Washington of Vidalia, LA; three sisters-in-law Cora Lee Hall-Jones (Louis) of Alexandria, LA, Lois Madison Demby of Franklin, LA and Cheryl Belinda Hall of Baton Rouge, LA; one brother-in-law Carl Alvin Hall (Emily) of Alexandria, LA; three special nieces, Iris Washington Myles, Shanette Washington and Lisa Jackson; special friends, Willa Golden and Thomas Holland; and a host of nephews, nieces, friends, former co-workers and students.

Edwina was preceded in death by her parents, James Clifton Demby and Theresa White Demby; six siblings, Anderson Clifton Demby, Charles Samuel Demby, Eloise Demby Vantree, Judea Demby, Donald Demby and Ronald Demby; her husband, John Louis Hall III; her father-in-law John L. Hall Jr; her mother-in-law Sallie Young Hall and two brothers-in-law Kevin Al Hall and Hilbert George Hall.