Mary Jo Halbirt1945-2016Mary Jo Poulson HalbirtAfter a long and fearless journey, Mary Jo Poulson Halbirt entered into the glory of the Lord on November 11th, 2016. She leaves a legacy of love, charity, and generosity.Anyone who saw Mary Jo was struck by her unforgettable beauty – but everyone who knew her was even more in awe of her beautiful heart, her abiding faith, her passion for her family, and her boundless love of life.Mary Jo Poulson Halbirt was born on October 21st, 1945 in Beaumont, Texas to Mary Weed Fletcher and Jack Fletcher. She graduated from Beaumont High School in 1964, and later attended Lamar University. There she met the love of her life, D. Knute Poulson. They married on September 18th, 1965. She and Knute moved to Pittsburgh for Lufkin Industries for a short time and then moved to Houston in 1969. In 1982 they settled in Bellville. Never one to stay still for long, in 1987 she started MJP Collection, a custom design southwest jewelry company.Mary Jo was in irreplaceable and constant part of every community in which she ever lived. An active member and volunteer of almost every possible organization or charity, she played a large role in the Bellville Hospital Board, Austin County State Bank Board, Bellville United Methodist Church, Bluebonnet Ball, St. Francis Parents Association, Community Bible Study – Leader, St. Martin's Episcopal Church, St. Martin's Altar Guild, DePelchin Children's Center, Gladney Center for Adoption, Beaumont Sewing Club, Junior Forum and the Covenant House Texas Guild. She was an avid supporter and took great pride in the Bellville Young Life, and founded the Knute Poulson Memorial Scholarship at Bellville High School and the D. Knute Poulson Memorial Award benefitting the Austin County Fair & Rodeo in honor and memory of her loving husband after he passed away in 1995. She was a fixture every year at the Austin County Fair, buying lots of various livestock to support the local 4-H and FFA kids. Her presence and beautiful smile always lit up the sale barn (and everywhere she went).Mary Jo loved and was loved by her many, many friends. To her, they were the sustenance of the joy and optimism that suffused her life. To them, she was the beacon of kindness and love that illuminated theirs.Her first priority was always her family. First, with the unbreakable bond shared between her and her beloved husband, Knute, soon followed by her two children, Kirstin and Kyle, and eventually, her five grandchildren. They were always the great joy of her life and her greatest gift.She is survived by her two children, Kirstin Poulson Gau and her husband Dennis, of Magnolia, and their children, Conner, Brandon and Abbie and Kyle Knute Poulson and his wife, Erin, of Fort Worth and their two children, Grayson and Jackson. She was preceded in death by her devoted husband, D. Knute Poulson, her parents Mary Weed and Jack Fletcher and her brother, Weed Fletcher.Mary Jo lived life to the fullest and will be desperately missed. But her family and friends take great comfort that she is happily reunited with her beloved Knute and that heaven is today just a little brighter.Her life and legacy will be celebrated on Tuesday, November 15th, 2016 at 2:00 pm St. Martin's Episcopal Church 717 Sage Road Houston, TX 77056Refreshments will be served following the service in the family hall. The family would like to thank her devoted caregiver, Yasheeka Clark and the kind staff at the Belmont Village Hunters Creek.In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Mary Jo's memory to the Gladney Center for Adoption, 6300 John Ryan Drive, Fort Worth, TX 76132, (817) 922-6000.