Mary JO Halbrooks

Halbrooks, Mary Jo, 82, passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2015. She was predeceased by her loving husband, Ralph F. Halbrooks ; parents, Noatley E. and Dana Fuqua Jones; brother, George Jones; sisters, Celia Jones Barnes and Doris Jones Payton. Survivors include Ralph Douglas Halbrooks, John Francis Halbrooks and Robert Neal and Dana (Turnipseed) Halbrooks and their children Connor Ashton Halbrooks and Ashlyn Grace Halbrooks. Funeral services will be at the First Baptist Church on Tuesday, August 4th at 11:00am. Visitation will be one hour prior to the services. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. She was born on August 31, 1932 in Hartford, Kentucky, the 4th of four children to Noatley E. and Dana Jones.

Her childhood dream was to marry a preacher and have three sons. With the Lords blessing she did just that, marrying Ralph F. Halbrooks on August 27th, 1954. Doug, John and Bobby followed in God's timing.

Mary Jo graduated from Louisville General Hospital School of Nursing in 1954 with Diploma degree (equivalent to a RN degree). Her nursing career started in northeast Alabama, through Cullman and ultimately brought her to Baptist Hospital South in Montgomery, where she served the majority of her 35 years. She served as adult patient staff nurse before becoming the head nurse of the nursery. During her years as head nurse she helped start the NICU. She retired in 1991.

Mary Jo was a wonderful Christian mother serving the family as nurse, cook, cleaner, disciplinarian (drill sergeant) favoring corporal punishment (switch), and even the yard person. Motivated by love for God, she got up early and stayed up much too working to create and maintain a Christian home. Not an easy task with three rambunctious boys.

Mary Jo loved to serve the Lord and others. She served through First Baptist Montgomery as a youth teacher, nurse at youth events like youth camp and choir tour, and as a parent volunteer. She served with Ralph at statewide meetings at Shocco Springs Alabama and regional meeting at Ridgecrest, North Carolina and Glorieta, New Mexico. She and Ralph also served as interim pastor in Anchorage Alaska.

She loved her husband, her children, and her Lord. She was a model for all. In a word, she was love.

Proverbs 31: 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.On line condolences may be made at www.LEAK-MC.com