Io Halbert

Notes:

Io Halbert McIlhaney, 97, of Lubbock passed away on Monday, May 3, 2004, following a brief illness at her longtime home at Carillon Village.

She was born the fifth of nine children to Levi Thompson Halbert and Mary Ann Armstrong Halbert on Sept. 23, 1906 in Milam, Sabine County. Io graduated from Milam High School in 1924 and received an Elementary Teaching Certificate from Stephen F. Austin State College in 1926. She taught school in the Houston area for several years and held a Lifetime Teaching Certificate from the State of Texas. She met Joe S. McIlhaney, owner of McIhaney Creamery in Lubbock, during one of his frequent business trips to Southeast Texas. They married in September of 1934. He preceded her in death in 1999. A daughter, JoAnne Conely, also preceded her in death.

Io was a woman of extraordinary abilities and energy. Her many activities and interests included membership in the Lubbock Women's Club, the Lubbock Women's Forum, and the Allegro Music Club. She was continually involved in the PTA while her children were in school. She served as president of Carroll Thompson PTA, president of the Lubbock City Council PTA, and received life membership in the Texas Congress of Parents and Teachers. Community activities gave her great pleasure, particularly her dedicated service to the Lubbock Well Baby Clinic and her longtime volunteer work as a docent at the Western Heritage Center.

She later received a lifetime membership in the West Texas Museum Association. Io was a faithful and involved member of the Lubbock First Baptist Church from the very beginning of her life in Lubbock. She was active in the Women's Missionary Union and taught a women's Sunday school class for many years. She was a longtime member of the church choir and in her latter years loved being a member of the church's Prime Time Singers. Above all, Io was sustained by her joyous love of the Lord and devotion to her family.

It has been said that an important part of life is just "being there," and Io was always there - for her family, for her friends, for her church, for people who needed her, and for the entire Lubbock community. In recognition of her years of interests and service she was nominated for, and given, the "Outstanding Older Texas Award" by the Governor of Texas.

Io is survived by a daughter, Nancy J. Rainwater and her husband, Clois, of Honey Grove; three sons, Joe S. McIlhaney, Jr., M.D. and his wife, Marion, of Austin, Richard G. McIlhaney and his wife, Martha, of Copper Canyon, and David L. McIlhaney and his wife, Jane, of Ventura, Calif.; a sister, Lollie Lee of Waco; 14 grandchildren; and 19 great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Friday, May 7, 2004, at the Ford Chapel of First Baptist Church with the Rev. John H. Ballard officiating. Interment will follow at Resthaven Memorial Park under the direction of Sanders Funeral Home. The family will receive friends from 6 until 7:30 p.m. Thursday at the funeral hom e. Pallbearers will be Jason McIlhaney, Scott McIlhany, Kevin McIlhany, Mark Connell, and David Lutz. The family would like to thank the staff of Carillon Village for the love and excellent care provided to their mother during the last seventeen years, and particularly the staff of Carillon House, who cared for her during her final days. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Carillon Foundation.

Io married Joe Singleton McIlhaney, Sr. in Sep 1934. Joe was born on 18 Oct 1902 in Gholson, McLennan County, Texas; died on 28 Nov 1999 in Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas; was buried in Resthaven Memorial Park, Lubbock, Lubbock County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]