Mary Jean Davis Halter was born on August 5, 1930, in Olvey, Arkansas, to Sterling and Thelma Lancaster Davis.  She was the first of their four children.  Mary grew up in Arkansas, attending school and graduating from Harrison High School in 1948.  After graduation, she moved to Springfield, Missouri, to attend Draughon's Business College.  This proved to be a fateful move because it was at Draughon's that she met her future husband, Bob Halter.

Bob and Mary were married on June 10, 1949, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Springfield.  To this union five children were born.  Mary was a full time mother and homemaker during her children's younger years, volunteering at their schools, at church and with Cub Scout groups.  She was a talented seamstress, making clothing for herself and her two daughters, as well as doing sewing and alterations for others.  For a time, she was an Avon salesperson, and she worked at a used book store, which was a delight to her given her love of reading.

After her children were grown she volunteered many hours working at the The Kitchen's resale store, Maggie's.  She and Bob gardened, especially after they moved to the Nixa area.  She enjoyed spending time with her four grandchildren, and she and Bob traveled with their travel trailer.  They returned many times to Eureka Springs and they loved the horse racing in Hot Springs.

Bob and Mary were active in all the Catholic parishes where they belonged over the years, and they were charter members of St. Francis of Assisi Parish in Nixa, where Bob was the first parish council president and they were instrumental in fundraising efforts for the new parish.

Mary was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bob, both of her parents, her son, Mark and his wife, Terry, her brothers, George and David Davis, brothers-in-law, Barry Wood and Charlie Plummer and her nephew, Craig Davis.  She is survived by her sister, Martha Plummer of Springfield, sister-in-law, Linda Davis of Harrison, Arkansas; four children, Teresa Pope and husband Ron of Springfield, Stan and Paula Halter of Clever, Kerry Halter and Maria Halter, both of Nixa; grandchildren Erin Baldwin and husband Randy of Republic, Lindsey Kelsay and husband Daniel of Springfield, Micah Pope and girlfriend Hannah Vancour of Springfield and Julie Pope of Willard; great grandchildren Bryce Clark of Springfield, Payton Clark of Florida, Zenobia Stearman of Willard, Roman Congleton of Willard and Truman Kelsay of Springfield.

The family is beyond grateful to the wonderful staff at the Manor at Elfindale for the loving care they gave Mary these last eighteen months.  They've gone over and above expectations, and we're forever in their debt.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Kitchen or Rescue One.

Visitation for Mary will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 30, at St. Francis of Assisi Church, 844 Gregg Road, Nixa MO 65714, with funeral mass at 11:00 a.m. Burial will immediately follow at Weaver Cemetery in Ozark.