Elswith Louise Brackett Hall

Elswith Louise Brackett Hall was born on Saturday, December 22, 1928, in Belize City, British Honduras (“The land of my birth”) to Vincent Elizabeth Cutrell Clother and Stanley Brackett. Ma, “Bun”, Aunt Elswith, “Teacha Brackett”, Granny, Grandma, Deacon Hall or Elsa, as she was affectionately known, was the youngest of 11 children for Granny Vincent.

Elswith attended St. John’s Primary School and St. Hilda’s College. At 16 years old, she studied and passed the first and second class teacher’s exam, with honors. Elswith also earned a scholarship to study abroad. “Teacha Brackett” taught in the districts of Benque Viejo Del Carmen and Stan Creek. She also taught at Holy Redeemer Catholic School and Wesley Infant School under the supervision of Principal Ethel Daley in Belize City.

Elswith married Bennisford Emanuel Hall on November 27, 1948 and immigrated to Miami in 1964. She obtained a certificate to care for the elderly while in Florida. Ben and Elsa eventually settled in Staten Island, New York in 1970. Elsa worked as a Home Health Aide at Richmond Home Needs Services (RHNS). She retired in 2008.

Elswith was a kind, generous and hard-working woman. She loved the Lord and committed her life to helping others. Since 1972, she was a devout member of St. Phillips Baptist Church. Sister Hall became a Sunday school teacher and later a Deacon Emeritus. She was a member of the nurse’s ministry and volunteered her time visiting the sick and shut-in and the incarcerated. Deacon Hall loved caring for others, especially the elderly.

Elswith loved to cook Belizean food and entertain. Those that loved Ms. Elswith could be found at her house on Saturday evenings enjoying delicious food, music and camaraderie.
Elswith leaves to mourn her daughter, Mrs. Beverly Belisle, son-in-law Mr. Austin Belisle, Sr., grandchildren Ms. Tanya Hall, Dr. Angel Hall and Mr. Austin Belisle, Jr. of Carson, CA and Ms. Kimbra Hall of Staten Island, NY. She also has nine great grandchildren and six great great grandchildren along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Elswith joins loved ones who preceded her in death: mother Vincent, father Stanley, husband Ben-Ben, son Eugene, grandson Kenton and all her siblings: Mazie, Doris, Pearl, Oriel, Hervice, Muriel, Syrian, Shirley, Roy, Alrick, Selvin Brackett, Talbert Brackett, Stanley Brackett, Jr and Owen Brackett.