Coralyn Jessie Halsey, age 88, of Jefferson City, Mo., passed away Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at home surrounded by her loving family.
Coralyn was born October 31, 1932 in Prairie View College, Texas, the daughter of Israel and Hallie (Atkison) Collier. She was married on June 12, 1954 at Immaculate Conception Church in Jefferson City, Mo. to Hobart Randolph “Randy” Halsey, who survives.
A lifelong resident of the central Missouri area, Coralyn graduated from high school and went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Lincoln University in 1954.
She began her teaching career in the Jefferson City Parochial Schools before joining the Jefferson City School District, where she served for nearly 30 years until her retirement in 1992. During her career as an educator, Coralyn taught Language Arts at Southwest, Moreau Heights and Belair Elementary schools. Coralyn was a champion for students in and out of the classroom. She was an active, positive role model for many young people as well as an advocate for education.
After her retirement, she continued to be involved in the educational arena through her positions with the State Board of Education Tests, North Central Evaluation Teams, University of Missouri Evaluations, the Bootheel Community Development Corporation and as a volunteer for the Community Development Corporation of America.
Her knowledge and experience won her recognition and accolades from many organizations: Who’s Who Among Students in America Universities and Colleges (1954), Outstanding Young Woman of America (1967), Personalities of the West and Midwest (1968) and Who’s Who Among American Teachers (1992). She was honored to be inducted into the Jefferson City Public Schools Hall of Fame in 2011 as an “Outstanding Retired Educator”.
She possessed a strong faith and was a lifelong member of Immaculate Conception Church.
Coralyn was passionate about serving the community and cherished the many relationships she made through her involvement. She was 59-year member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, member of the Daughters of Isabella, the Jefferson City Chamber of Commerce, Delta Kappa Kamma, the NAACP and helped with the Martin Luther King Scholarship. She served on governing boards with the Community Center Child Development Organization (1965-1972), the Community Park Village (1969-1973), Reserve Officers Training Board (1975-1984), Jefferson City Library Review Board (1987), March of Dimes (1989-1992), the Cole County Mental Health Board (1992) and helped with the Christian Community Service from Quinn Chapel AME Church (1976). From her involvement in the community, she was listed on the National Register of Prominent Americans (1983) and received the Lincoln University Golden Sons and Daughters Award (1995).
In her free time, Coralyn enjoyed traveling on cruises with Randy and friends, completing word searches and was an avid reader. Coralyn’s passion for reading was passed down to her daughters and granddaughters by way of trips to the public library and bookstores. She also enjoyed taking long walks and being in nature. She loved family time and quality time always revolved around family meals. Coralyn’s favorite pastime included baking cakes and collecting recipes for her loved ones. She instilled in her family the importance of education, respecting others and the gift of appropriate etiquette.
Coralyn took every opportunity to help those less fortunate. She will be remembered for being tough with her standards but extremely fair. She expected a lot of those around her but gave more than she expected of others.
Survivors include: her husband of 67 years, Randy Halsey; her daughters, Robyn McKnight of Missouri City, Tx., Terri Halsey of Missouri City, Tx. and Christy Crump of Florissant, Mo.; two granddaughters, Bianca Daniels of Missouri City, Tx. and Sydney Crump of Florissant, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews.
Coralyn was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law, John and Hallie Halsey; brother-in-law, John R. Halsey; three sisters-in-law, Emma Gruber, Maude Perkins, Flomay Williams; a nephew, Elliot Gruber; and a niece, Frances Tucker.
Visitation will be held at Immaculate Conception Church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2021. The general public is welcome to attend the visitation and the family has requested anyone in attendance to wear a protective mask while following social distancing guidelines.
Mass of Christian Burial will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2021 at Immaculate Conception Church with the Reverend Don Antweiler officiating. Graveside service and entombment will be held at the Mausoleum of Resurrection Cemetery.
A webcast of her service will be available at 11:30 a.m. Monday for friends that are not able to attend by going to the "photos and videos" tab of this page and scrolling down to the webcasting link. A recording of her service will also be placed on this page by Tuesday morning.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the Jefferson City Public Schools Foundation, Immaculate Conception Church, the American Cancer Society, the Lincoln University Athletic Club, or the Alzheimer’s Association.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Freeman Mortuary.