Bettie L. Howell

Howell, Bettie obit picBettie L. Howell

1925-2015

Longtime Edmond resident Bettie Louise Lloyd Howell, 90, left this life at 1 A.M. January 15, 2015 to join her recently deceased husband in their forever home in Heaven. Her departure was peaceful and easy.

Bettie spent her final months at Touchmark Assisted Care in Edmond. She loved and was loved by the people who assisted her as long as she remained there. She specifically instructed her family to express to these dedicated professionals her gratitude for the care and caring she received in the final chapter of her life.

Born in Marshall, Texas on January 6,1925, Bettie lived the majority of her life in Edmond. In her final years as Bettie’s health declined she was motivated to stay with us long enough to see her husband Dixie to his reward as he struggled with Alzheimer’s. After his passing in November, her duty done, Bettie prepared herself and hung on long enough to celebrate her 90th birthday with several of her great-grandchildren only 9 days before she answered God’s call.

The daughter of H.T. and Anna Lloyd, Bettie grew up in east Texas during the depression. She graduated from Paris High School in 1941 at the age of 16. She worked in the defense industry during WW II and on December 31, 1949 married Dixie Howell in Sapulpa, Oklahoma.

From this union came three baby boomers, Shelby, Denise, and Kirby, and their final child, Troy who was born in 1967.

Bettie and Dixie were serious about their commitment of “till death do us part” and stayed married all their lives. Bettie was blessed with a multitude of grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Bettie and Dixie came to Edmond in early 1956 when it was a small rural town of about 6,000 people. With three small children in tow and eyes cast on grabbing their piece of the American dream, they purchased their acreage in Fisher Hills just outside Edmond. After the birth of their fourth child, they spent the next forty years raising their family, building a successful business and watching Edmond grow.

Her greatest enjoyment was planning and hostessing family and social gatherings where she would display her culinary and people skills. She loved sharing stories of friends and family with others and she glowed whenever she was entertaining. A woman of powerful character and spirit, Bettie spent her life seeking to bring joy and fulfillment to all whose lives she touched.

Bettie was the sort of mother who was truly engaged in actively raising her children. She was socially active with her church and her community. She served on many committees at First Methodist Church, taught Sunday school, and was on the Church board of directors. She was a founding member of the Edmond Historical Society and was inducted into the Edmond Historical Society Hall of Fame in 1998. She was a lifelong Eastern Star and P.E.O member and spent many happy days participating in social events conducted by these organizations.

In July of 2014, Bettie undertook, at the young age of 89, what would be her final great adventure. She flew unaccompanied to Craftsbury, Vermont and toured New England with Troy and his wife Kimberly. It was the trip of a life time. She enjoyed a boat ride on Great Hosmer Pond in northern Vermont, attended a Rock/Bluegrass concert headlined by her son’s band, Hair of the Dog. She flew, sailed, walked, and rode a train. She celebrated July 4 at a town gathering in Craftsbury Village, Vermont (est. 1789). On her final day, before returning she journeyed to Washington D. C., with the specific intent of “straightening out those lawmakers”. Bettie was a lifelong Republican and voted for Presidents from Eisenhower to Bush. Bettie had strong views about government, justice and mercy, and loved to share her opinions and listen to others…especially if they agreed with her.

We will all miss her until we join her again.

Survivors include her Brother, Harold, Children,  Shelby, Denise, Kirby, and Troy. Grandchildren Kellie, Thomas, Saylor, Kai’li and Walt, and numerous great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Dixie, her younger brother Tommy, her parents H.T. and Anna, and daughter-in-law Pamela Howell.

Services Tuesday 2:00 PM at First United Methodist Church in Edmond. Visitation Sunday 12:30-3:00, and Monday 8:00-5:00 Matthews Funeral Home Edmond.

In lieu of flowers the family requests contributions to your favorite charity in her memory.

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