Lela Howell

Lela Howell died peacefully at her home on Thursday, December 22, 2011. She was 90 years old. Lela has joined the love of her life, her precious Woodie, in Heaven. Lela was born Lela Maudean Dendy on July 8, 1921 in DeLeon, Texas. She married Woodie Howell on December 21, 1939 in Paris, Texas. After living in Eastland, they moved to Abilene in 1950, where they made their home until Woodie's death in August of 2006 and Lela's death, one day after their 72nd wedding anniversary. Lela was a wife, mother and homemaker. She was a fantastic cook, preparing delicious dishes, especially chocolate, lemon, and coconut cream pies to everyone's delight. Lela was a talented seamstress who made all of her 3 daughters' clothes, as well as her own. In 1974, Lela bought the Clothes Line clothing store in Westgate Mall, which she owned until 1979. Lela was a bundle of fun. She was feisty, known since childhood as "Dynamite" or "Dynie" by her family and childhood friends. Lela was a pistol, loving to tease and frighten you. Her grandkids and great-grandkids couldn't get enough of her play. She was a prankster, thoroughly enjoying life, laughing the loudest of all. Lela loved to tell jokes, but would get so tickled telling the joke that she couldn't finish the joke for laughing out loud. Everyone ended up laughing at her, never hearing the joke in its total. Lela will be sorely missed by all who knew her. Lela is survived by her 3 daughters, Beverly Hunt, and husband Bill, of North Richland Hills; Sandra Riddle, and husband Johnnie, of Hamlin; and Sheila Partin, and husband Robert, of Houston. Grandchildren are Tracey Flores of Keller, Jeff Lee of Brownwood, Shae Creel of Rowlett, Chris Riddle of Ft. Worth, Paige McInturff of Houston, Bowe Partin of Houston, and Samuel Partin of Austin. Great-grandchildren are Michael and Aaron Flores, Colby, Lauren, and Payton Lee, Clarke, Jhett and Ansley Creel, Aydriel and Ayrik Riddle. Lela has 3 great-great grandchildren. Lela's graveside service will be Wednesday, December 28th, at Elmwood Memorial Park, under the direction of The Hamil Family Funeral Home, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road. The service will be held at 3:00 p.m., being officiated by Stan Allcorn of Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. Most special thanks to Lela's daughter, Sandra Riddle, who has been Lela's primary caregiver for almost 4 years. Sandra devoted her life to the loving care of her Mother. We also want to acknowledge Hospice of the Big Country for the outstanding, tender care that was given to our Mother these past three months, especially Alisha who bathed Mother every day and Jessica, her most frequent wound care nurse. The ladies of Hospice loved "Miss Lela". "And I will live in the house of the Lord forever." Psalm 23