Michael Joiner Halford

Michael Joiner Halford passed away on May 19, 2024, in Asheville, North Carolina. He was born in Flowood, MS. on September 4, 1989, and spent his formative years in Jackson and Madison.

An alpha omega graduate of St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Ridgeland, class of 2008, Michael excelled academically and athletically. He was an All-District and a Clarion-Ledger All-Metro Team basketball player as well as an All-South State baseball player. Upon graduation, Michael chose to continue playing basketball at the University of Mississippi, where he earned Academic All-SEC honors. Michael was particularly thrilled to be on the 2009-2010 Rebels basketball team that reached the semi-finals of the National Invitation Tournament in New York City. When he was not in the gym, Michael could be found at the Sigma Nu Fraternity house with his friends. Michael concluded his basketball career at Belhaven College, where the Blazers competed in the NAIA National Tournament in Kansas City. Michael returned to Ole Miss to complete his psychology degree and graduated in December of 2013. Following college, Michael worked in sales and construction in the Jackson, New Orleans, and Asheville metropolitan areas.

Michael’s son, Lawrence Michael, was born in 2011. The two enjoyed going on pretend adventures in the back yard; playing tag, soccer, and baseball at the park; and watching Pixar movies. Lawrence shared Michael’s tan skin, inquisitive demeanor, and distaste for losing. He was truly Michael’s greatest love.

Michael’s siblings will miss their older brother dearly. Madeleine, thirteen years Michael’s junior, will remember him as “Bubby,” the loving older brother who doted on her and paraded her around town to “woo the ladies.” Hannah will forever be indebted to Michael for teaching her to be competitive. Though he was two years older than she, Michael had no qualms about beating Hannah in every arena, be it 1v1 basketball, Monopoly, or Golden Eye multiplayer. Both siblings will miss trading barbs and discussing current events at family dinners, playing Call of Duty and Fortnite, and watching Ole Miss football games with their brother.

Friends and family remember Michael as not only sociable and playful, but also kind. On numerous occasions, Michael went out of his way to make others feel loved and seen. This empathy extended to his charitable work, as Michael embarked on multiple mission trips to Honduras and participated in youth basketball coaching. As an adult, Michael loved spending time with his son and immediate family, participating in kickball games, traveling with his high school friends, attending New Orleans Saints football games, and going to the park with his rescue dog, Luna.

Michael is preceded in death by his grandparents, Billie June and J.P. McEachern (New Orleans), Kohlman Stabinsky (New Orleans), Ada Frances and Lloyd Joiner Halford (Meridian); and by his uncles Tim Lee (Columbia) and Danny Rousselle (New Orleans). He is survived by his son, Lawrence Michael; his parents, James (Jim) Lloyd Halford and Kimberly (Kim) Sue Stabinsky Halford (Madison); his siblings, Hannah (Austin, TX.) and Madeleine (Rhodes College in Memphis); and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins who all love and miss him dearly.

Services to honor Michael’s life will be held on Friday, May 24, 2024, at the Chapel at First Baptist Church of Jackson at 431 N State St, Jackson, MS. 39201. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m., with the service to follow at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at Parkway Memorial Cemetery in Ridgeland, MS.