Mae Howell

Mae Howell. January 3, 1932 - July 6, 2024.

Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, mentor, and friend. Mae Howell passed away on July 6, 2024, after 92 years of the good life.

Mae is survived by her husband of 70 years, Jack Howell. As well as daughters, Sheila (Don) Brown and Laura (Richard Gomez) Tackett, grandchildren, Jaime (Jeff) Jarrell, Kevin (Danielle) Brock, Ryan Brown, Shannon (Matthew) Bell, and Doug Tackett, and great-grandchildren Hannah Jarrell, Jeffrey Jarrell, Shelby Brock, Tommy Brown, Jack Bell, James Bell, and Samuel Bell.

Mae was preceded by many family members including granddaughter Lisa Brown and great-granddaughter Quinn Bell.

Mae was born January 3, 1932, to George and Lucy Reed in Johnston City, Illinois. Mae was the youngest of seven children. She was preceded in death by her parents, in-laws, and older siblings Harvey, Floyd, Virgil, Dola, Alameda, and Pete.

Mae married Jack Howell in 1954 and they moved together to St. Charles, Missouri. Mae worked for Southwestern Bell first as an operator and remained with the company as a supervisor for 30 years before retiring in 1987. Upon retirement, Mae enjoyed boating, traveling, reading romance novels, attending Sunday school, and would be the first to admit that store bought desserts were superior to anything she could make herself. Mae was never far from a slot machine often traveling to Las Vegas and Tunica with Jack in search of her next jackpot. Her retirement came at the perfect time to watch her grandchildren grow up. She faithfully attended countless football games, dance recitals, school plays, and concerts.

Mae taught us all the importance of hard work, honesty, to never make a promise you couldn’t keep, and that the key to good chicken and dumplings is a big fat hen.

Mae lived her life for her family and with her faith guiding her every move.

“…when Christ shall come with shout of acclimation and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart…then sings my soul, my savior God, to thee; how great Thou art, how great Thou art…”

Memorials may be made in Mae’s name to the Alzheimer's Association.