Channing Hall stood sheepishly, as she tightly held a plaque and looked toward the ceiling of the Conway Regional Chamber of Commerce. All the while Hall’s mother – donning a huge smile – hugged the 29-year-old firmly by the shoulders, pressing her cheek against her daughter’s cheek.
Hall, an El Dorado native, was among the guests of honor at the chamber’s awards banquet, as the Conway North Metro-area Nurse of the Year.
“I fear being in front of large unfamiliar crowds of people,” Hall said. “I was extremely nervous and rushed through my acceptance speech so I could get back to my seat.”
Hall earned the award for providing exceptional care to patients of Independent Living Services (ILS). The center, located in Conway, promotes independence and purpose for individuals with disabilities.
Hall, who’s the ILS Director of Nursing, began working for the facility in 2010. A year later, she earned the company’s Employee of the Year award. Subsequently, Hall received a promotion to her current position.
For Hall, this is a dream come true.
Her interest in being a nurse began as a youth when one of her siblings was born prematurely and had to stay at Arkansas Children’s Hospital. In the process, several of the nurses bonded with her family and helped them cope with the situation.
“That’s when I knew I wanted to be a nurse and help families like they did for us,” Hall said.
Kendra Anderson, Hall’s friend and coworker, often sees the impact of Hall’s compassion, maturity and professionalism.
“Channing is level-headed,” Anderson said. “She always maintains a sense of clarity in chaos, that helps to make her an excellent nurse.”
A tragedy was perhaps the greatest test to Hall’s poise during moments of unrest.
One of four children, Hall has a twin sister named Chesnie. However, she can’t physically chill out with her sister.
In October 2012, Chesnie Hall and her boyfriend Daniel Jackson, were shot and found dead inside a vehicle on the 100 block of Roselawn in El Dorado. Chesnie’s 3-year-old son Daniel was in the backseat unharmed.
“I was in Branson, Missouri, with some friends when I started getting these Facebook alerts. People were telling me that they were sorry for my loss and RIP Chesnie. I had no clue what had happened,” Channing Hall said. “My oldest brother called and told me to come home because Chesnie had been shot and killed. Every time I thought about her – I cried. I asked God why, knowing that He’s in control of all things. I was angry, but I prayed for strength, peace, understanding and faith.”
Mia Dobson, Channing Hall’s best friend, clearly recalls the heartbreak of Hall begging her to find out if Chesnie was dead.
“I was shocked. I could hardly process what Channing had asked me to do,” Dobson said. “My heart was racing, and I told her I’d call her right back. I called their dad and he was at the scene.”
“He told me what happened as I held the phone in silence. I finally told him I would call Channing back. When I called she answered, and all I said was, ‘Channing’ in the most somber voice. She just hollered, ‘No! No! No! … Nooo!’ I will never forget that night.”
Eventually, law enforcement arrested a man and charged him with the crime.
However, in the aftermath, who would raise the child was a major topic of discussion.
He was temporarily in the care of the Department of Human Services as the agency reviewed the home of Hall’s mom to make sure it was suitable for Daniel. His family had no contact with him over that period. The home received approval four days after the incident.
“I was happy to see him but my heart broke all over again. Daniel adored his mom,” Hall said. “And he witnessed the murder. … I often wondered how it affected him mentally.”
In regard to coping with the murder, Daniel still receives licensed counseling. But Hall never underwent any form of therapy.
“In hindsight, I needed it,” she said. “Nobody knew because I always had a smile on my face. But I was in a dark place. I was messed up.”
Hall – a University of Central Arkansas alumna – returned to Conway, forced to adjust to her new normal. However, after three years, she felt compelled to keep a promise to Chesnie that involved Daniel.
“We had an agreement that if anything were to ever happen to her, I’d take care of Daniel,” Hall said. “I had to keep my promise. It was the right thing to do.”
Previously, Daniel was in El Dorado with Hall’s mom, so he had to adapt to Conway.
“Getting him acclimated to a new city, new people, and my way of doing things was challenging,” Hall said. “He’s a respectful kid. He knows my expectations and typically stays in line with them.”
Hall and Daniel reside in a nice home in one of the newer subdivisions of Conway. Astute planning and hard work led to Hall getting the home, Anderson said.
“Channing worked two jobs and picked up extra shifts as a nurse to save enough money to purchase a nice home for Daniel,” she said. “Channing wanted to provide her nephew with a stable situation. Channing did that at an age when most people are still trying to figure out what they want to do with their life.”
Dobson, who resides in Little Rock – 25 minutes south of Conway – loves the camaraderie between Daniel and Hall.
“Their interactions are priceless, often comical,” Dobson said. “If you didn’t know any better, you’d think he’s her biological child.”
“Although she wouldn’t have it any other way, she didn’t have to raise him,” Dobson added. “She’s making sacrifices with her career and life to properly raise Daniel. But Channing’s faith in God is strong and that makes a difference.”
A proud representative of El Dorado and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Hall uses her faith and infectious personality to bring joy into any environment.
“Most people who don’t know Channing thinks she’s a quiet, no-nonsense individual,” Anderson said. “Quite the contrary, she is goofy. She’s a funny person and can find humor in any situation.”
Dobson has been by Hall’s side during several situations. Few of those instances made her as happy as when she was in attendance to see Hall get her Nurse of the Year award.
“She’s successful because of her passion for serving people,” Dobson said. “At the awards banquet, Channing receiving recognition alongside other successful professionals made me proud. Channing was also one of the youngest honorees. Plus, I was also beyond excited because she’s an African American female, and we’re often overlooked.”
Currently, Hall couldn’t be happier. Meanwhile, Daniel is full of joy as he receives love and support from both sides of his family.
“I lack nothing. My nephew is flourishing. My family is well. My career is gratifying. And I’m continuing my education, which is going well,” Hall said. “I just want to make Chesnie proud. As for Daniel, I’m excited to see what his future holds.”
Kev Moyè is former staff writer for the News-Times and can be reached at [email protected].