Arthur Halfacre

Edward Arthur Halfacre departed this life December 22, 2022, at his home in Louisville, Mississippi, at 10:50 a.m. Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, December 27 at First Apostolic Church of Louisville with Bro. Michael Halfacre and Bro. Glynn Barker officiating. Visitation will be the day of the service from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at Nowell-Massey Funeral Home in Louisville. Interment will immediately follow the service in Murphy Creek Cemetery.

Born to Vivian and Hermie Lee Halfacre on May 13, 1933, his 89 years were totally filled with joy and blessings from God. His faithful beloved wife, Mavis Reed Halfacre, lived right by his side caring for, nurturing, and dressing her man until he drew his last breath. Arthur grew up in the Crystal Ridge-Boon community and attended Bond School graduating in 1953. Arthur and Mavis began a school yard courtship at Bond School and married in 1955. Arthur worked in the automotive manufacturing industry in Detroit, Michigan, a few years like so many young men during that time, returning to Louisville where he began operating heavy equipment for his father-in-law, J. T. Reed. In 1959, he began his 54-year career at Taylor Machine Works starting downtown in the machine shop with the founder of Taylor Machine Works, Mr. W. A. Taylor, Sr. Arthur moved into Parts and Service after the big plant was built and enjoyed many good years dealing with the servicemen and Taylor customers all over the state of Mississippi. He had part numbers in his head that no longer existed in parts catalogs. He was given most of the calls when people particularly had an old or ancient machine needing Taylor parts. He was cool, calm, and collected and tried to see the good in every situation and in every person he dealt with.

Arthur and Mavis built their home in 1959 and lived in Louisville all his life gardening, farming, raising his family, and being a fine example to his many nieces, nephews, and even neighborhood children. He hustled through his chores on Saturdays at home so he could take up time with his young’uns taking them hunting, farming, or swimming. Being an engineer at heart, he rebuilt his own engines, fixed his own automobiles, and created most of the special tools and gadgets he needed to make home life or farm life work better for his purpose. He was a man with a great talent for the ground and his garden grew sumptuously every year. He kept his life as clean as he kept his garden and he gardened a little while every day. Steady. Arthur Halfacre was steady. Tried and true. Dependable and rock solid. Arthur loved God, his family, other people, and he loved life. He was loved by all and will be sorely missed in this remaining life.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 68 years, Mavis Reed Halfacre; and his sons, Michael Halfacre and wife, Pat, of Starkville, Mississippi; and Paul Halfacre of Louisville. One of his greatest joys was being “Pop” to his six grandchildren: Ethan, Kari, Tyson, Preston and wife, Katie, Daniel and wife, Kaytlyn, and Hagan Halfacre; as well as his five great-grandchildren: Sawyer, Micah, Avey Clay, Jachin, and Eben. Arthur also leaves behind his sister, Nita Halfacre Hartness and his brother, Jimmy (Gina) Halfacre; in addition to many loving nieces, nephews, other family members, and friends. 

Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Clytee Halfacre Clark; an infant brother, Johnny Halfacre; and his daughter-in-law, Deborah Johns Halfacre.

Serving as pallbearers are Ethan Halfacre, Tyson Halfacre, Daniel Halfacre, Hagan Halfacre, Jody Blumenfield, and John DePriest. 

Memorials in honor of Arthur may be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital online at stjude.org/donate.

Services are under the direction of Nowell Massey Funeral Home, 724 North Columbus Avenue, Louisville, MS. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family by signing the guest register at www.nowellmasseyfuneralhome.com.