Democrats honor Ann Hall, Monty Montgomery

Young County Democrats gathered at Mount Zion Baptist Church in Graham to honor the memories of activists Elton “Monty” Montgomery and Annie Lue “Ann” Hall at a June 29 luncheon.

Former Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie and his wife Betty Richie, an Olney native and president of the League of Women Voters of Wichita Falls, spoke of their longtime friendships with Mr. Montgomery and Ms. Hall.

Mr. Montgomery, an attorney and a member of the Graham Noon Lions Club, Chamber of Commerce, school board and hospital board, was active in the oil, gas and timber industries.

He was a lifelong Democrat and philanthropist. He died on Jan. 23 at age 86.

Ms. Hall was the mother of four sons, a church pianist, nurse, and “a tireless Texas Democratic Women’s chair and the rock of Mount Zion Baptist Church,” the luncheon’s organizers said.

Ms. Hall died on Feb. 1 at age 86.

She was a mentor and the organizer of the Democrats’ annual “Beans and Jeans” event, Mrs. Richie said.

“She was one of the most talented women I have known ... she was a good Democrat,” Mrs. Richie said. “She got to see a black president and a black woman vice president.”