Always dressed in patriotic colors, this election volunteer is celebrating almost 40 years

BRENTWOOD, Tenn. (WTVF) — Even on Halloween, when costumes are encouraged and the color orange is dominant, there’s another dedicated election volunteer in Brentwood who’s sure to steal the show.

Gayle Hall is beloved at the early voting site at the Brentwood Library, and not just because of what she wears.

“She’s always dressed in red, white and blue,” said Beth Monsor, another election volunteer.

“She has 28 outfits to choose from, so she mixes and matches every day. You never know what she’s going to wear, except it’s going to be red, white and blue,” said Ava Thorton, who also volunteers at the library.

“I have a scarf, I have a bracelet and a necklace, I have socks,” Gayle Hall said.

Gayle is also loved for doing her job with gusto.

“Thank you for coming, otherwise I wouldn’t have to be here if you didn’t come,” Hall told the voter.

“And you have a bad birthday,” Hall joked to another voter. “Okay, just take them. That’s good!”

Hall has made such a name for herself that some people try to wait even longer in the long line to honor Gayle.

“She never met a stranger,” said Judy Martin, district president and Hall’s longtime friend. “They want her to wait for them. Well, it can’t wait for everyone.”

“They ask about her, where is Gayle today? But he’ll be back, making coffee. We say: she’s here, wait a minute, you’ll see her,” Monsor said.

If you haven’t noticed already, she really likes it.

“I’m glad you come to me. Thank you for coming,” Hall said, welcoming another voter.

This may explain why Hall has done this every election year for less than 40 years. She spent her first decade on the Davidson County Board of Elections. In the 1990s, she moved her residence and volunteer work to Williamson County.

“He gets here at 6 a.m., well before most of us get here,” Thorton said.

“She prepared the entire break room,” Monsor added. “It’s all her, all the decorations.”

Monsor said Hall’s stamina is incredible.

“It surrounds us all. I have been working with her for eight years. She hasn’t changed. She hasn’t slowed down,” she said.

That’s why Gayle is pretty sure she’s ready to sleep during the next presidential election.

“Sometimes there comes a time when you have to retire. “I think this election will be my last presidential election,” Hall said. “But if the Lord willing and I can still walk and talk, maybe I will be here.”

Note: That’s why I said pretty sure, but not sure.

“She loves it, she would rather be here than anywhere,” her friend Judy said.

Whether Gayle continues or not, her show-stealing performance won’t soon be forgotten.

“I didn’t even know anyone was even paying attention to it. I did it for myself, to feel good,” Hall said.

If Gayle looks familiar, it’s because she’s the mother of Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall. Her late husband was also a member of the Metro Council.

Do you have a Gayle Hall story of your own? You can email me at [email protected].