To all who are wondering why I have two entries:  I am technically-challenged and didn't see my first entry, so I wrote another one.  I now realize that the entry does not show up until the computer has been turned off and rebooted.  Sorry for the repetition.

I had Ms. Halbouty for junior English at French High School in Beaumont.  I thoroughly enjoyed her class.  She was so eccentric, but had such a creative way of teaching grammar, something I love to this day.  It was during her class, that we heard the Walter Cronkite announcement (the second of two heard that day) about the assassination of JFK.  I will never forget that day, that place.  On a happier note, I remember all of the lunch time chatter about the goings on in Ms. Halbouty's class.  We had so much fun comparing our experiences.  Yes, she was eccentric, awe-inspiring, and a legend in her time.  I am grateful that I had her, in part because it was like a rite of passage of FHS student life.
Several years later, Ms. Halbouty Maye and I were colleagues at the same high school in Spring Branch.  I was able to express my gratitude to her for all she did to make me a better English grammar student.

I was in Ms. Halbouty's junior English class at French High School.  It was in her class that JFK's death was announced, so I can never forget her class.  She was an eccentric lady, a legend in her time, and a wonderful teacher of grammar, something I also love. She had creative ways of explaining parts of the sentence and passive and active voice.  I will never forget some of the funny anecdotes about her class that were shared at lunch time with my friends. Being in her English class was like a "rite of passage" for students at FHS.
 I also taught with her for one year in Spring Branch ISD, so I had a chance to tell her how she helped me with the English language.

There can be no "right" words to describe this teacher who was bigger than life in the lives of so many of her students.  She scared me to death (at first), while I learned so much about teaching and language.Admiration for this vibrant soul is beyond measure.

Wow I am filled with so much emotion while reading all of these comments I wish my Aunt could know how much she was loved and appreciated I loved my Aunt she was a great Lady I appreciate all of the comments and will treasure the memories thank you all so much

My condolences to all her friends and family. she touched so many lives during her long life.

A very sweet and loving lady.  I always 
loved being in her company. 
Dr Robert R Debes

Although I never met Rosalie, I heard many stories of Mrs. Maye "Aunt Rosalie" from my good friend and adopted Mom, Doris Halbouty Kondurous.  May Mrs. Maye rest in peace.  And Mom, I am sorry for the loss of your Aunt Rosalie, praying for you and the family.
Your adopted daughter,
Kathryn

Sympathies to your family, Karen. Reading all the entries makes me realize what a wonderful teacher she was and how wonderful it would have been to know her in her element. I hope all goes well as you lay her to rest.

The only reason one might fail her class was because they didn't want to try.  She worked very hard to be sure everyone learned.  I feel so fortunate to have had her for a teacher -- she was the best!

                    Judy Vieno FHS '59

Former French High School student of Miss Halbouty, Hal Miller,would like to express my sympathy. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

Ms. Halbouty, you will be missed.  No one who ever had you at French High School could ever forget you and how you taught.  Walking into your classroom for the first time was like entering the lion's den.  We had all heard the stories of you and what was facing us, but no one was prepared for what was to come that first day.  I have to admit, I was scared to death.  I knew I would either sink, swim or die studying.  No one daydreamed in your class; maybe we were too busy watching you and hoping the bell would ring before you called on us to recite a poem.  

I think at times we were the indirect, or perhaps actually the direct, objects of your prepositions.  Who could forget the erasers or chalk flying through the room or the guys and girls sitting alert and ever ready to dodge?  You were definitely unique and animated. You were beautiful the way you could move so fast in those high heels.  We were mesmerized, amazed and always attentive.  You did not want to be our best friend nor humor us with jokes.  Teaching English was your passion, and by golly, we had better get with the program, because once the door closed, the train was about to leave the station—and what a ride it was.

Maybe through studying and studying or maybe just simply osmosis, we learned the English and the poems that you worked so hard to instill in us.  Few, if any, teachers could compare to you today.  Few school districts would have the courage/guts even to hire a teacher like you; but the sad truth is that most students today will never know what a fantastic, dedicated and inspiring teacher is really like.  You took control of that classroom and no one, not even a principal, superintendent, or parent would dare dispute your authority, because, Ms. Halbouty, you got results—results that we all carry with us, along with your memory.  You left the legacy of a classy lady and a devoted teacher who gave us an experience that has stayed with us all our lives.  English was not just a subject to you, but a venue, with which you reached students as no other teacher could.  God bless you, and now you can rest.  We graduated!!

She will is in peace now.  We are praying for the family.  God bless you all during this difficult time.

We will never forget Ms. Halbouty. She told me to hitch my wagon to a star. Good words from someone I think of often. Selma Ray Farley FHS 56.

Not very often will you find an educator that was so instrumental in each of her students lives, but she was and her touch still continues today as we now recall her influence in our young lives. We give tribute to her and say, "Thanks Miss Halbouty for a job well done".  French High School Class of '59.

I simply don't know what to say!   She was everything to me.  I looked up to her and couldn't get enough of her teaching and knowledge.  I stay after school any day she would make the time for more instruction. And, yes I remember those diagramed sentences. She would literally run from one side of the room to the other with her piece of chalk marking the parts of the sentence.  She could move faster than most in those "high heels"! But I smile every time I remember when she would throw that eraser at the "cool guys" who were not paying attention. Chalk went everywhere and she never missed a beat.  I majored in English because of her.  When I moved back to Houston in the early nineties I saw the Halbouty Bldg on Westheimer. You are correct.  I parked the car and went up to the top of the building and spoke with her brother's secretary.  She called me and I took her to lunch.  She just looked exactly as I remembered.  She was so flattered. I will keep that memory and know she is in the House of the Lord.

You scared me, challenged me, and then captivated me. Because of your personal interest in me and opening me up English. I an now an investigator, director non-profit  for missing children and I write about injustices that our children now face. You were a God send to my life. You truly graced my life.

Carey Jo Trapasso

"Miss Halbouty" was without a doubt the most passionate, creative, inspirational teacher I had. Her influence on her students knew no bounds. My deepest sympathy to the family...French HS, Class of 1962

Now you rest in peace, Ms. Halbouty. I enjoyed knowing you so much.
Scherel Horn Carver, former student.

Miss Halbouty taught me so much. She inspired us to live up to her high expectations.  Her passionate and dramatic style made us all look forward to her classes. They were never boring.  I was her student over 45 years ago, but I still remember some of her lessons.  I can still see her, standing in front of the class, dressed to perfection, a beautiful lady.  She was a classic.  My sympathy to her family in this loss.  How lucky we all were to have been her students!

My sympathy to all the family.  I am a former student of Rosalie Halbouty.  I had the privilege of having her as my teacher at French High School in 1956.  What a wonderful foundation in English she gave me!  I shall always remember her.

Wanda Martin Sanders  (Terre Haute, Indiana)

Thank you for the dedication to your profession and never allowing us to settle for less than our best. Your style was unique, but I would not have wanted to be anywhere else for English class. My prayers are with your family.  
Mary Gilcrease Bray (Beaumont-Class of 1957)

Rosalie Halbouty was a truly inspiring teacher, not only for what she taught but for how she taught.  She was passionate about her subject matter, and she was a model for her students about how such passion matters in life.

As a student of her's am proud of the time that I had in her class room. She will always be in my memories of a special time in my life.

J.B. Oakes Jr 
class of 1959

I walked into English class my junior year and was scared to death to find that I had been placed in Rosalie Halbouty's class.  I survived to have one of the greatest classroom experiences of life.  My shaking turned to admiration and she became my favorite teacher and was the reason I learned to stand in front of people and speak.  We memorized, recited, read, and diagramed a million sentences during that year.  She introduced us to wonderful poetry and reading materials.  Today, I can still recite the works of Robert Frost and Poe.  I still carry some of the quotes from extraordinary people that she had us cut out and mount on cards.  I had always hoped to run into her to tell her that I, too, became a teacher. I knew that she was deeply religious and I know she now rests with Jesus.  I am so blessed that our paths crossed and I am very proud to say she had a great influence in my life.  Prayers and sympathy to her friends, family, and hundreds of ex-students everywhere.

Miss Halbouty was a fine fiesty lady and we all learned to much from her.  I will never forget her high heel shoes and throwing paper across the room to tell us what a  DIRECT OBJECT was in a sentence.
Loved that lady.
Brenda Jones Tinsley, Boerne, Texas

Rosalie Halbouty was a fantastic teacher!  She dared you to fail her class and the only way you did is if you didn't try.  RIP Miss Halbouty!

One of the greater fortunes of my life was to be taught English at French High School by Rosalie Halbouty. When I was in the Navy, I was selected to learn Russian. It was what I learned from Ms Halbouty that made that possible.  In my occupation as Human Resources Director for the City of Pasadena TX, it was her training more than any other person's that allowed me to express myself clearly in my writings. I could never thank her enough. I will also relate that my life-long friend H Palmer Hall, editor, author, poet, and selectee to the Texas Institute of Letters, who also past this year, always credited Ms Halbouty as a driving force in his life. For him and I and many, many more, Thank you; we will always remember you.

Miss Halbouty taught me English at French High School.She was a great teacher even though sometimes she scared us but after we realized this was the way she taught. I loved being in her class & learned so much from her. She will be dearly missed.  RIP Mrs. Halbouty Maye   Class of '65

My deepest sympathy to family and friends of Miss Halbouty. I'll remember her always as a special lady who was passionate about teaching.

If you attended her class and paid attention it was possible to get an excellant English Composition education if you never picked up a pencil. The most impressive teacher I ever had! Class of 1959

I only had her one semester, but I'm glad I didn't miss her.

There's always one special teacher from high school that you remember, and for me that was 'Miss Halbouty'.  I had her in 11th grade at French HS, and like everybody else, started off scared to death of her....but by the end of the year I loved her dearly! I made A's in college English because of her, and she will continue to stay in my memories always.  She and I communicated for years after I got out of school, mostly at Christmas thru a card, until just a few years ago..  I had the privilege of running into her awhile back, at a Beaumont Walgreens about November of 1995.  She still looked as I remembered her--and what's even more odd, she recognized ME right away also--and I hadn't seen her since I graduated from high school in 1964!!  I so wish I had been able to go visit her in Houston one last time..  RIP Mrs. Maye, you will remain in the hearts of all the students you ever taught.  Prayers and deepest sympathy going out to the family.

My deepest sympathy to all friends and family of our dear Miss Halbouty.  Never was there a more impressive lady nor teacher.  Carlis Danna Cole

Ms. Halbouty had a mission and that was to teach and we were to learn. She was so full of energy it was never dull in her classroom. She was a wonderful teacher that demanded attention and respect and she accomplished her goal; our schools today need more like her.  I was so blessed to be her student. May she rest in peace.

An inspiration to many of us at FHS.
Harriett and Chuck Balhorn

 Mrs. Halbouty Maye taught me more about writing than any English teacher I ever had, along with a lot of poetry memorization too! College English and literature was a breeze after my classes with Mrs. Halbouty!

My Dear Ms Halbouty Maye, you were one of a kind but you made me LEARN and I thank you for that and all the great memories at French High School in Beaumont, also you taught my son in Houston ..Never thought that would happen and much to my surprise, you haven't change your teaching style, scared us all into learning and having all the respect for you..God Bless your family during this time of loss...WE ALL LOVED YOU , WHAT A LADY....
                              Jimmy Hester
                                    Beaumont, Texas

What a great lady and English teacher...if you thought you knew English before her class, you didn't know much.  Will never forget her definition of the subject and the predicate standing in front of the class.  My deepest sympathy to your family in this hour of deepest sadness.


Judy Mabry Smith
Santa Fe, Texas

God bless you and your family. You were the best teacher ever and will always be remembered.

Ms Halbouty was both a great teacher and a great person.  She inspired me to read extensively, to express my thoughts in writing, and left me terrified to use incorrect grammar.  She will always remain my mentor.  
David Self, 
Sao Paulo, Brazil

Rest in Peace, Mrs. Maye - the best English teacher ever!  I will never forget Anthony's speech!

What a great lady and teacher!  Miss Halbouty, as her students knew her, was a dedicated teacher that put her students first.  I was fortunate to have had her as my English teacher at French High School.  She will always be remembered with much love.
Barbara Fullerton Smith

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Rosalie Halbouty Maye

16 septembre 1922 – 27 octobre 2013

Geo. H. Lewis & Sons Funeral Directors

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