Mary Ann Hallett

After graduating from Byrd High School, she moved to the Panama Canal Zone to work with a family friend. While there, she met her future husband, Leon Forrest “Bud” Hallett, Jr. It was love at first sight, and they were married for 56 years before Bud passed away in 2001.

She began her Federal career in the secretarial pool of the FHA. While spending more than 30 years with the FHA, and later HUD, she became the first female field appraiser in Louisiana, as well as one of the first female field appraisers in the country. After her retirement, she became an active member of NARFE (National Association of Retired Federal Employees), subsequently serving several years as president of the local chapter. She was an active member of the choir at both Broadmoor Christian Church, where Bud and she were charter members, and later Kings Highway Christian Church.

She is survived by three children, Carol Kissinger (Bob), Leon F. “Buddy” Hallett, III, and Amy Hallett; grandchildren, Holly Smith (Bubba), Marie Rudd Gregory (Todd), John Rudd (Samantha), W. Carey Hallett, Jr., and Gordon Hallett; great-grandchildren, Vanessa Welzbacher, Isabella Connor, Aylah Connor, Megan Posey, Chase Chism, Haley Higdon, Trey Rudd, Connor Bennett, Emily Rudd, Calob Hallett, Arianna Hallett, Madison Hallett, and Caden Hallett, ten great-great grandchildren, and nieces and nephews, Patsy Moore, Barbara Burns, Ed Hughens, Kim Winters, Nita Cook, and Randy Hughens.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Bud Hallett, her brothers, Fred and Eddie, her son, Walter Carey Hallett, Sr., son-in-love (law), Joseph Henry Rudd, Sr; two grandsons, James Routt, and Joseph Henry “Jay/JJ” Rudd, Jr., great-grandchildren, Brooke Posey, Britnee Chism, and Brittani Bennett, and nephews, Fred Hughens, Peter Wervey, and Carl Wervey.

A memorial service will be held Thursday, July 6, 2023, at 10:00am, in the Family Life Center at Kings Highway Christian Church, 806 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA. In lieu of flowers, you may celebrate her rich and full life with a donation to your favorite charity.