Obituary of Susan Anderson Halsey

Susan Anderson Halsey left this earth on Friday, Dec. 19, 2014, having touched scores of people along the way. Susan left her legacy through her family, career, and accomplishments, all of which were abundant and deeply appreciated. Memorial service: Her life will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Tuesday. at Christ Chapel Bible Church, Fort Worth Campus, 3701 Birchman Ave., Fort Worth 76107. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to Women's Center of Tarrant County, 817-927-4006 or Cook Children's Medical Center Pastoral Care, 682-885-4030. Susan was born Jan. 7, 1959, in Beaumont. She was a lifelong Louisiana State University fan, and was pleased that in her final days she received a call of support and comfort from LSU Head Football Coach Les Miles. She proudly told Coach Miles that she taught her daughters, Brooke and Taylor, to sing the LSU fight song before she taught them "Mary Had A Little Lamb." Susan grew up in Monroe, La., and attended River Oaks High School, where she was valedictorian of the class of 1977. She then enrolled in LSU as an undergraduate where she would join the Tri-Delta sorority. She excelled not only socially but scholastically, gaining admission to the school's Paul M. Hebert Law Center, from which she graduated in 1983, thus fulfilling a promise she made to her father when she was 8 that one day she would be a lawyer. Upon her graduation, Susan joined the Jackson Walker law firm, where she practiced for more than 30 years. In 1988, Susan moved to Fort Worth to open Jackson Walker's office there and immediately became a permanent member of the legal and civic community. During her career at Jackson Walker, she served on the firm's Management Committee, became managing partner of the Fort Worth office, and was recognized as a distinguished lawyer by numerous organizations on multiple occasions. The Fort Worth Business Press named her both a "Power Attorney" and one of the "Great Women of Texas." Susan was one of the founding members of the Greater Fort Worth Real Estate Council and later served as chairman of that organization. In 2012, the Council honored Susan with its Founder's Award. She was active in the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce, serving on a number of committees before being named the chamber's second female chairman in 2013. She also served on the boards of many community organizations. Susan will be missed and fondly remembered by her many friends, colleagues, partners, and family members. Susan is a proud alumni of LSU. She loved spending time at her lake house with her family. Her daughters were the light of her life. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Jon Spain and Universal Health Services Hospice Facility for their compassionate care. She was preceded in death by her mother, Polly Anderson. Survivors: In addition to daughters, Taylor Halsey and Brooke Halsey, she is survived by Gordy, her husband of nearly 30 years; her father, Paul Anderson; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. Martin Thompson & Son Funeral Home Fort Worth, 817-292-2250