Zelma N. Randolph Gunn Howell

Zelma N. Randolph Gunn Howell, 89, died Tuesday, April 12, 2011 at an Abilene medical center. Born in Brandon, Missouri on November 4, 1921, she was the daughter of Eva Lyle (Kerfoot) and William Arthur Randolph. She was born in Missouri, but got to Texas as fast as she could. Since 1966 she had been a resident of the Abilene area. She worked as a caregiver in home healthcare. Zelma was preceded in death by her two husbands, Jewell Gunn in 1958 and Pat Howell in 1988; son, Jim Gunn; three grandchildren, Jimmy Gunn, Kenneth Gunn and Little Roger McGough; parents; four brothers and two sisters. Survivors include two sons, Mike Gunn (Janell) of Carterville, Missouri and Gary Howell of Abilene; seven daughters, Janise Riddell, Nancy McBride, Marsha Gunn Sanders (Rocky), Norma Verner (Eugene) and Detra Kaylene Howell all of Abilene; Edna Gunn of Carterville, MO; and Joan Stark (J.D.) of Austin, as well as 19 grandchildren, 45 great grandchildren and 12 great great grandchildren, all whom lovingly knew Zelma as "Grandma Grapes". Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, April 15, at The Hamil Family Funeral Home Chapel, 6449 Buffalo Gap Road with Ronnie Bryan officiating. Burial will follow in Hawley Cemetery. Visitation will be 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Daughters, Janise Riddell, Nancy McBride, Marsha Gunn Sanders, Edna Gunn, Joan Stark and Norma Verner, will serve as pallbearers.