Biography

Helena Rebecca Edwards “Hallie” McNair was born January 1, 1910, in Pensacola. She married Carl Herbert McNair on December 11, 1927. She lived most of her life in Escambia County and Pensacola. Hallie was the mother of Betty Elaine McNair Petree, Carl Herbert McNair, Jr., and Anita Jane (Patsy) McNair Singletary.  Hallie died July 17, 2006.

Hallie was a life long member of the First United Methodist Church of Pensacola, FL, and was  active in its many programs for over 60 years, supporting the youth groups, Methodist women, Sunday schools, and more recently, “Silver and Gold.”

Over her lifetime, in addition to her many maternal responsibilities, she assisted her husband, Carl, in McNair business enterprises.  Upon his death in 1951, she founded a nursery school in West Pensacola, “The Tiny Tot Kindergarten” with her sister, Mary Juanita Edwards Pettersen.  This effort prospered for over 25 years and some of Pensacola’s finest were schooled at “Tiny Tot.”

Helena Rebecca Edwards McNair was the oldest surviving child of the marriage of Lena Williams and James Bryant Edwards.  Her husband, Carl Herbert McNair, Sr., predeceased her, almost a half century ago, and she continued on – living a full and fruitful life, giving to all those about her, great care, compassion and concern – with love and grace.

Recipients

2002 Blair Fowler
2003 Nicole Christopher
2004 Lauren Clark
2005 Allison Hemphill
2006 Sarah Adcox
2007 Ashton Mitchell
2008 Matt Bryant
2010 Katie Wachob
2011 Katie Wachob
2013 Connor Bond
2014 James Safko