On April 20, 1917, a beautiful baby girl, Othella Gertrude, was born to Laura McLemore and David John Hall, Sr., in Rusk County, Texas.

Othella received her early education at Union Springs School in 1924 and graduated from Concord High School in 1936. Additional formal education included being a graduate of Sweat Beauty College in 1953.

Othella met and married Mr. Clinton L. Moss in January 1939. Their first son Cornelius Alcott was born later that year. Together, they would have 6 additional sons: Winston McKinley; Archie Leon; Edmond Carroll; Alpheus Emory; Larry Wayne; Rodney Lynn. A daughter, Gwenester was stillborn in 1957. Ultimately, prior to her death, there were 5 living generations from their union.

Othella accepted Christ and became a member of Holly Springs Missionary Baptist Church, Mt. Enterprise, Texas, in 1928. She remained a faithful member of the Holly Springs church family until relocating to Houston in late 1982 to be close to their sons and families. Being involved in church and ministry was of utmost importance, so shortly after arriving in Houston, Othella discovered a new, lively church family. That lively group, led by Dr. Richard Jewel Rose, and known as Holy Trinity Missionary Baptist Church, became her church home in Houston. She lived 106 years and 204 days but served faithfully as a member at only 2 church homes. While a faithful and active member of Holy Trinity, Othella served as Vice President and long-time President of the 50-Plus Club, President and member of the Sisterhood Women's Ministry was a member of the Senior Choir (Soprano) and served as a teacher for the Senior Women's Class. She remained active in the choir until she could no longer climb into the choir loft. She was an active member of the Sunday School and assisted with yells for vacation bible school. Othella loved her church family, especially her pastor, Dr. Richard Jewel Rose and his family.

During her lifetime Othella owned and operated her own beauty parlor in Mt. Enterprise, Texas. She also worked as an insurance agent, sold decorated sheet cakes, and worked as a homemaker. She wore many hats, not just the beautiful ones she wore to church or special events. Othella knew how to operate a riding lawn mower, how to can and preserve fruits, and sew. She drove (fast) until she was 98 years old, when The Boys finally took her keys. She was also a big Houston Rockets fan, especially when Othella Harrington was a member of the team.

She supported education and encouraged all school students to attend college. She supported higher education both verbally and financially.

She was an impeccable dresser and had a hat for every occasion and almost every outfit. She loved to shop in the stores, boutiques, or by catalogue. If she saw something she liked she would say "Clinton said if you see something you like, get it!"

Othella had special relationships with everyone she met. She especially enjoyed her friendships with Sis. Ozell Welch, Sis. Mildred Rose, and Dr. Delores Saddler. Othella also held a special place in her heart for her sister Adeline's daughters – Annie Hordge, Shirley Anthony, and Patricia Anthony, in addition to her niece Gloria Jean Boyd. In addition to her parents, Othella was preceded in death by her daughter Gwenester in 1957, husband Clinton in 2004, 13 brothers and sisters - most recently her 106 years, 262 days old sister, Dorothy B. Hall Barnes in 2018. Her sisters-in- law Catherine Moss Holliman and Ezzie Bea Moss Black. She is also preceded by daughters-in-law, Freddie Marie Winfrey Moss, Vera Joyce Moss, and Mary Gomez Moss.

Those who remain to cherish her memory are her 7 sons: Cornelius (Maryland) of Marietta, GA; Archie (Gwendolyn) of Mt. Enterprise, TX; Rodney (Donna) of Manvel, TX; Winston, Edmond (Carletta), Alpheus, and Larry all of Houston, TX; Sister-in-Law Marguerite Hall of Houston, TX; 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and 1 great-great-grandchild expected in April 2024. Additionally, her legacy lives on through her nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews of both the Hall and Moss families.