Leonard Penn “L.P.” Halbert, Jr.

A graveside service for Leonard Penn “L.P.” Halbert, Jr., 94, of Rusk, will be  2 p.m., Monday, November 16, 2026, at Oakland Cemetery in Oakland with grandson, Dustin Slaton officiating. Services are under the direction of Autry Funeral Home, Jacksonville. 
L.P. was born on April 11, 1932, in Oakland, to Leonard Penn, Sr. and Mary Ida (Johnston) Halbert and passed away on November 8, 2026, in Jacksonville.
L.P. Halbert lived a life defined by hard work, dedication, and a deep love for the ranching and farming way of life. After retiring from the United States Postal Service, he continued serving his community through his work with Texas Farm Bureau Insurance.  However, his greatest passion was farming. Whether tending cattle, working the land, fixing fences, or simply enjoying life outdoors, L.P. found joy in anything and everything connected to his farm.  L.P. and Martha instilled a strong work ethic that lives on today through their children and grandchildren. 
He had a strong faith in Jesus Christ, his Lord and Savior, and a was member of Oakland Missionary Baptist Church. 
More than any accomplishment, L.P. cherished his family. He was blessed to share 73 wonderful years of marriage with the love of his life, and together they built a family grounded in faith, hard work, and love.  He will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by his family, friends, and all who knew him.
L.P. was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard Penn, Sr. and Mary Ida (Johnston) Halbert; sisters, Lyndall Gage, Gwendolyn Wood, Lucille Crews, and Lois Pierce; and great-granddaughter, Callie Selensky. 
Left to cherish his memory are his wife of 73 years, Martha Halbert; children, Gary Halbert and wife, LuAnne, of Virginia; Stephen R. Halbert, of Rusk; and Michele Slaton and husband, Dennis, of Jacksonville; grandchildren, Taylor MacFarland and husband, Andrew; Travis Halbert and wife, Bonnie; Crystal Smith; Amber Janak and husband, Jared; Ashley Mendehall and husband, Zach; Stephen Paul Halbert and wife, Alyssa; Dustin Slaton and wife, Melody; and Meagan Boswell; 18 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; and numerous nieces and nephews. 
Honorary pallbearers are grandsons and great-grandsons.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests making a donation to Oakland Cemetery.