Naomi(Omie) Marsh Hall DeBerry

A pure spark of light, Omie  ignited every life she encountered and every room she entered with her genuine smile and contagious laugh. Always a character, her beauty, striking youthful white-hair and big personality stole the show in a spontaneous combustion of joy. Her honest ever-ready no-filter remarks and quick wit disarmed any malice intent on the spot. Her simple presence absorbed all the air in the room, a dominating force playing card games or famly dominos insisting on her own house-rules, no matter the location.

Born as the middle child in Ulysses, Kansas, she moved with the family to Faith, South Dakota with parents Gabe and Maxine Marsh, and sisters Wynonna and Saundra (Sandy) to finish school. She married Bill Hall, and had two children Billy Ray and Kirk Douglas. They lived in New Castle, WY, and later in Boise, Idaho where Gabe and Max lived, she became a single mom for her two sons. She retired in Apache Junction, AZ; although, it really made no difference because she lived in the right now and made no pretense that there was a past or any future more important than this present moment with you. She showed us all how it is done. Uniquely generous, she shared herself and her stuff with anyone in need with no reservation or expectations. Everyone always remembered her, and she left an indelible mark of goodness upon her extended families, friends, neighbors, and anyone lucky enough to meet her in passing. She worked as a professional home-health-care assistant for many years, the angel in disguise, even as she was losing her own sight. She was so kind and her patients loved her so much. She insisted on making life fun for them even as many were transitioning to the other side of the veil.  

The nieces and nephews from Wynonna’s family raised in South Dakota include her daughters Rhonda, Sharon, Sandy, son Garold; and Saundra’s son Kevin, daughter Cynthia from Idaho all truly loved Aunt Omie. Her legacy as stated by her is to always remember you are Number One, never forget your number, and let the rest of the world take care of itself. Her children, Mary, Bill, and Kirk, her grandchildren Gabrielle, Mark, Mitchell, Sterling, and great grandson Benson were her greatest reasons for living. She leaves us all a little broken and fragmented in our loss. yet her strong religious belief in the after-life somehow brings us peace – together as one.