Obituary of Viola E. Halbert

Viola Halbert, a faithful servant of the Lord, and beloved by family and friends, went home to receive her crown in Glory on November 20, 2012. Viola was born to Viola Marie Garrett and Lee Owen Bogue in Long Beach, California on June 3, 1922. It was during her high school years in Lynwood, California that she first met Jim Halbert, and their budding friendship blossomed into love during their years of attending BIOLA (Bible Institute of Los Angeles). Shortly after Viola's graduation from BIOLA in 1945 with a Bachelor of Christian Education degree, she and Jim were married, on June 16, 1945. Viola had followed the Lord and wanted to be a missionary from the time she was five years old. She and Jim were led by the Lord to serve with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society (now WorldVenture) in Ivory Coast, in what was then French West Africa. They soon found themselves in France studying the French language for a year, and then their hearts filled with joy and anticipation as they entered their life's work in Africa. Together they served many fruitful years in Ivory Coast—first in starting a new work in the "bush" with a then-unreached people group, in the village of Niellé, and later evangelizing and training the educated, French-speaking Africans in the town of Korhogo. Viola's ministry centered around working with the women and the children, helping with literacy materials, and ministering "hospitality" to the many visitors, from missionaries to dignitaries, who came through the centrally-located town of Korhogo. Viola served alongside Jim during their last two terms in Africa in new spheres of ministry: first at Yamoussoukro Bible Institute, further south in Ivory Coast, where future African pastors and church leaders were trained for ministry; and then in Nairobi, Kenya, working with AEAM (Association of Evangelicals of Africa and Madagascar; now called the Association of Evangelicals of Africa). Viola was active in a women's Bible study group, and she and Jim became close friends with the family of Byang Kato, an African statesman at the helm of AEAM. Viola's heart was richly rewarded by being accepted as "family" by the Africans. Viola's health had suffered from the rigorous climate and conditions of their years in Africa, and so when their service with AEAM drew to a close, she and Jim felt God was showing them that it was time for them to transition from ministry in Africa into pastoral ministry in the States. They served in Southern California and in Oregon in this capacity until their retirement, and throughout these years, Viola was actively involved in teaching women's Bible studies, and in mentoring young women. Viola used her love of piano-playing and of sewing to bless others throughout her life. She will be remembered by her children and grandchildren for her faithful, unwavering prayer for them. In keeping with a lifelong priority of family ties, living closer to her family in her final years was a great joy to Viola. She loved to spend time with family, read, do crossword puzzles and listen to Christian music. She always enjoyed a good laugh. Viola's life was marked by uncomplaining sacrifice and service to her Lord, whom she loved and put first all through her years, from the time she was a young child. She is deeply missed by her children and grandchildren as well as friends, but we know she is with her beloved Savior whom we are certain has greeted her with, "Well done, good and faithful servant." Service Information