Evelyn Marjorie Halbrook

Evelyn Marjorie (Benish) Halbrook, age 89, of Paragould, formerly of Star City and Pine Bluff died on August 9, 2015. She was born on June 22, 1926 to James and Mary (Langer) Benish in Hazen, Arkansas, the third of three children. Evelyn attended Arkansas Teacher's College (now University of Central Arkansas) where she earned her teaching degree and met her husband, Shirrell Halbrook, whom she was married to for 64 years. She went on to complete her graduate studies at the University of Arkansas and spent over 30 years in the educational system teaching math and science. She also taught sixth grade. Evelyn was an active member of Delta Kappa Gamma professional honorary Society and the First United Methodist Church in Star City before moving to northeast Arkansas. She was known for the love she had for her family and was an accomplished seamstress, cook and avid reader. Evelyn is predeceased in death by her husband, her parents, a brother, Bill, and a sister, Ethel Benish. She is survived by two sons, James (Nancy) Halbrook of Jonesboro and Erwin (Dianne) Halbrook of Star City; a daughter, Mary Ann (Tim) Rand of Paragould; a step-daughter, Shirley (Bob) Wolfe of Puyallup, Washington; two grandsons, Max Rand of Little Rock and Heath Halbrook of Star City; two granddaughters, April (Doug) Wood of Novi, Michigan and Heather (Bradley) Wright of Boston, Massachusetts; a great-grandson, Levi Andrew Wright of Boston, and a great-granddaughter, Hazel Evelyn Wood of Novi. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church in Star City on Sunday, August 16th. Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 2:00 pm. Rev. Brad Elrod will officiate. A private burial service will follow at the Czech National Cemetery in Hazen. Special thank you from the family to Chateau on the Ridge, Greene Acres Nursing Home, Arkansas Methodist Medical Center and St. Bernard's Hospice. Memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church in Star City or Cornerstone United Methodist Church in Jonesboro. Services are provided by Griffin Funeral Service in Star City. Online obituary at www.griffinfuneralservice.net.