"To everything, there is a season and a time to every
purpose, under the heaven."
Ecclesiastes 3:1

A Time to be Born:
Myra Louise Brown Howell was born on April 27, 1936, in Florence, Alabama,
to the late Gennieve Dortch Brown and Frank Brown.

A Time to Learn:
Myra was educated in the Florence City School System at W. C. Handy and
Burrell Slater High School. She excelled in academics and received several awards.
She loved to participate in school events and would often tell stories about how
she would sign up for after-school activities even before having all the details.
Myra was captain of the 1951–1952 North Alabama Championship Basketball
Team at Burrell Slater, under the guidance of Coach Welton Reynolds. Myra
once said her "basketball team was a group of athletes who were caring and
loyal towards each other, on and off the court!" Myra obtained a Bachelor of
Arts degree in Human Services at Buffalo State College in Buffalo, New York.

A Time to Serve:
Under the pastoral leadership of Reverend Cooper, Myra accepted Christ at
Petersville Missionary Baptist Church. She was a member of the choir and served
on the Sunbeam Missionary Auxiliary. After relocating to Buffalo, New York,
she joined Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, under the leadership of Reverend
James Banks. She later joined St. John Baptist Church, under the guidance of
Rev. Dr. Bennett Walker Smith.

A Time to Toil:
Myra was employed as a counselor at Child and Family Services and at Crisis
Services for many years. She helped with the care of her grandchildren for many
years before returning to the workforce as a Production Operator at Harmac
Medical, Inc., from where she retired.

A Time to Love:
Myra loved her family. She united in matrimony to the love of her life, her school
sweetheart, the late Thomas Berry Howell, Jr. Born to this union were four
children: Madrene, Terry, Glenda, and Thomas III. They relocated to Buffalo,
New York, where they raised their family and were able to spend time with their
extended family, who would often gather on Sunday afternoons to play softball.
Myra was affectionately called "Sister" by her siblings and "Big Mama" by her
nieces and great-grandchildren. She would plan family meals for each holiday,
getting her yellow tablet out and making lists for each household. She spent
hours in the kitchen making desserts and all of the family favorites. Old family
friends and in-laws were always welcome and were expected to show up and
give updates on their families. Myra was also known for organizing road trips
to see family in Chicago and Florence, packing a station wagon or passenger
van full of family and good food.

Myra was an enthusiastic and knowledgeable gardener who enjoyed her flowers
and plants, both inside and outside. In the winter months, she was always working on
a board puzzle at the dining room table. She took ceramic classes for many years
and was able to gift family members beautiful ceramic pieces. Myra enjoyed
reading inspirational books but also had to read the local newspaper daily.
She found joy in staying at home unless someone said, "BINGO" or "Casino."

A Time to Mourn:
Myra leaves to mourn her passing, her loving and devoted Children:
Madrene (the late Richard) Kemp, Terry Howell, and Glenda (Stanley) Smith;

Grandchildren: Nichele and Richard Kemp, Jr., Javelle and Marquita Howell,
Nakia Bynes, LaSheree (Jermaine) Fuller, Shkira Smith, Latika (Markquis)
Owens, Tamisha (Marcus) Harris, and Thomas Howell IV;

Great-GrandChildren: Tanisha (Antonio) Maness, Javelle Howell, Deion
and Davon Mason, Eric and Erin Bynes, Xayden Fuller, Jaelyn and JaCeon
Dillard, Storm, Isis, and Atlas Owens, Aniyiah and Marquis Harris, Keith
Allen, and Sky and Royal'Lynn Howell;

Great-Great-Grandaughters: Amiyah and Tamia Maness;
Siblings: Ruby (Charles) Armstead, Carrie Mae Coman, Dorothy (Arthur)
Thomas, Gilda (the late James) Hooks, Cadella Faye McDaniel, Michael
(Joyce) Brown, and Tyrone (Shelly) Brown;

A special Cousin: Annie Webster; her dear and best friend: Nettie Mae
Payne; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

In addition to her parents, Myra was preceded in death by one son, Thomas
(Etta) Howell III; great-grandchild, Ajax; siblings, Joseph Brown, Annie (the
late Harold) Washington, and Shirley (Mansfield) Key.