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Emmajean "Jean" Halfhill

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Kent State University

Emmajean Halfhill Obituary

Emmajean Halfhill KITTY HAWK - Emmajean (Jean) Halfhill, nee Smith, died Feb. 26, after suffering 11 years with Alzheimer's disease. Survivors include her husband, C. Tom, at home in Kitty Hawk; three children, Thomas R. of Burlingame, Calif., Kay (Kevin) Minis of Kitty Hawk, and Mark (Sharon) of Chesapeake; four grandchildren, Maria, Michael and Amelia Minis of Kitty Hawk and Tyler Halfhill of Chesapeake. She also leaves a brother, Charles (Linda) Smith of Allentown, Pa., and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jean was born in Akron, Ohio, in 1930 and graduated from Central High School in 1948. She graduated from Kent State in 1951 and began teaching third grade at McEbright. After a few years as a stay-at-home mom, she resumed teaching at Seiberling and finished her career at Ritzman, all in Akron. She was often chosen to try new programs and demonstrated a classroom in the display windows of O'Neil's and Polsky's downtown department stores. Jean was active in the Akron Junior Women's Club and sang in the Annunciation Church choir. In 1968, the family moved to a small farm in Suffield, Ohio, where she raised and trained full-size and miniature horses. She was a 4-H adviser for 18 years and sang in the St. Joseph Church choir. After Jean and Tom retired, they moved to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Both became active in many volunteer groups in the Kitty Hawk area. Jean taught tap dancing at the Baum Senior Center and was co-director of the award-winning Wright Tappers. She sang in the Baum senior choir, Sweet Carolines Barbershop Choir and Holy Redeemer Church choir. She belonged to the women's club at Duck Woods Country Club and volunteered at Nags Head Woods Preserve. Those of us who knew and loved Jean know that she was a dedicated, caring person with everything she did. This year would be 55 years of a happy marriage. The memorial Mass will be at Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Nags Head at noon March 28. Condolences may be mailed to C.T. Halfhill, 115 Sibbern Drive, Kitty Hawk, NC 27949.

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Published by The Virginian-Pilot on Mar. 4, 2009.

Memories and Condolences
for Emmajean Halfhill

14 Entries

Robert Halfhill

December 12, 2009

Dear Tom
My deepest Condoences to you and yours.
from one Halfhill family to another,..Robert Halfhill

Jeff Levenderis

March 30, 2009

I send my deepest condolences, and prayers to the Halfhill family.

I've known Jean since I was born. I remember her as an intelligent, quick witted person, and one who wasn't afraid to speak her mind. I will never forget her.

Sincerely,

Mary Smith

March 18, 2009

Dear Tom and family,
Gary and I are so very sorry to hear about Jean's passing. I have been in Houston for over a month and just read about her death. I remember Jean as the most bright and positive individuals I ever knew. Student teaching was the best experience a young teacher could have. Knowing the two of you was always such fun. We have missed you since you moved away, and I lost your address. Now, I hope we can keep in touch. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Mary and Gary Smith

Kim Derck

March 15, 2009

Dear Mr. Halfhill,
Dad has kept me updated on the two of you since you moved to NC. I was saddened to hear of her passing. I can still see she and Dad, standing at the end of the hall at Seiberling. I did not have her as my teacher, but remember her as a good cook and very kind woman. We went to visit you and your family when you had the horses. Mrs. Halfhill let me ride one of the ponies all by myself as a teenager and that was pretty cool in my book! I am just very sorry for your loss.
Sincerely,
Kim (Ferrell) Derck

Bud and Rainy Horner

March 14, 2009

Dear Tom , Kay, Mark , Mr. Halfhill and family, My husband and I send our condolences. Jean was such a cool lady . I shared and enjoyed some wonderful days with her in the Outer Banks. Also , my husband ,sends his heartfelt sympathy ,because he knows the sadness of loosing a mother. We all have been so blessed, because Jean was in our lives. God Bless, Rainy and Bud.

Jill Cutchin

March 12, 2009

Dear Mr. Halfhill & Family, I was terribly saddened to hear of Mrs. Halfhill's death. I have often thought of both you since we left North Carolina. Wally and I send out thoughts and prayers for you during this difficult time.
Sincerely,
Jill Howell Cutchin & Wally Cutchin

Dawn Miller

March 12, 2009

Tom, I was so sorry to hear about Jean. I know you went through as much as she did. Let us know if we can be of help.

Charles Brannon

March 11, 2009

Tom, I was checking your web page and found out that your mother had died. I am so sorry. I know how hard it can be (secondhand) because Margaret lost her mother February 4, so I can at least imagine how much you missed your mother. I was surely made all the more poignant to have lost her by degrees to the Alzheimers. Please let me know if I can call you sometime and see how you're doing.
-=Charles Brannon

Theresa Daugherty-Rousculp

March 10, 2009

I remember Mrs. Halfhill fondly. She was my third grade teacher at Ritzman Elementary, 1983-84. Like another former student mentioned, she was very tall to a third grader! I learned grammar and practiced lots of cursive in her class. I enjoyed school very much! Probably the most memorable moments that school year were from the school-wide circus held in the old gym downstairs. Mrs. Halfhill was one of my favorite - and best - elementary teachers. I now work in one of Akron's middle schools as an aide in a multiple disabilities class and know from experience that those in the education field are not given enough credit. Great teachers are getting harder to come by but when we are blessed to have them, we remember them for life.

Wishing the family strength to see you through this difficult time.

Robert Sparhawk

March 3, 2009

It's been awhile since we were together picking apples at your place. I am so sorry to see this in the paper. She was a fine person and a blast to work with at Seiberling.
My prayers are for both of you.
Sincerely,
Bob Sparhawk

J. Jefferson

March 3, 2009

My condolences to the family. I was a student of Mrs. Halfhill at Seiberling school in '64-65. It's funny that I was just thinking of her during the holidays. She was a great no-nonsense teacher, very tall to a third grader. I hope more of her students sign her guestbook because she touched a lot of lives.

William Harder

March 3, 2009

Dear Tom and Family:

Merrily and I express our deepest sympathy to your loss of Jean. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. May God Bless You.

Bill and Merrily Harder

Laurence Baldwin

March 3, 2009

Tom,
Bill Harder called me to tell me of jeans death. Joann and I send you and your family our love. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Will call you . May god bless you all .
Larry and JoAnn.

Willa Keith (Hill)

March 3, 2009

Mrs. Halfhill was one of my teachers at Seiberling Elementary during the 70's. I remember her as a kind and delightful person who loved her students. May God bless you during this time. She was a wonderful lady.

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