Wilma Dean Howard

Wilma Dean Howard, known as “Dean” by her family, passed away Sunday, July 28, 2013 in Muskogee. She was born on March 8, 1934 to Padie (Chambers) Hughes and Walter Lee Hughes. She was one of nine children and grew up in Porum, Briartown, and Possum Holler. Dean fell in love with Lloyd Howard and they were married in Van Buren, Arkansas on August 9, 1952. They were married for 48 years. She worked hard most of her life as a stay at home mom, who not only raised four kids, but she always had a big garden. Dean canned fruits and vegetables and put some in the freezer as well. She was a great seamstress making shirts for the boys and most of the girls’ clothes. When her grandchildren came along, she sewed for them also. Dean’s yard always looked like a park with beautiful flowers. Her mornings began early with milking the cows, bottle feeding the baby calves and feeding the turkeys. Her family always had meat for the table as they raised and butchered their own animals. Dean attended and was an active member of Keefeton Assembly of God Church until her health began to fail. She loved southern gospel music and would listen to it for hours. Dean’s Sunday dinners and Holiday meals were always enjoyed by her family and friends. She loved her kids, there was no doubt about it. But, she adored her grandkids and great grand kids. She had no problem voicing her opinion if she thought her grand kids were being punished too hard. Dean worked a while at York Manor Nursing Home and for the Election Board at the local precinct. She was preceded in death by her parents, Walter and Padie Hughes; her husband, Lloyd Howard; her daughter, Sharon Kay Johnson; her brothers, Lonnie Hughes, Benny Hughes, and Frank Hughes. Dean is survived by her children, Gary Howard and wife, Carolyn of Warner, John Howard and wife, Lisa of Keefeton, Peggie Swanson and husband, George of Webbers Falls; her grandchildren, Kevin Howard and wife, Christy, Kenneth Howard and wife, Laura, all of Warner, Jason Howard of Muskogee, Jennifer Wheeler of Ft. Gibson, Amber Moore of Okay, Miranda Clark and husband Derrek, Chris Daniels and wife, Amber, all of Muskogee, Tim Brown of Keefeton, Misty Swanson of Warner, Kristi Swanson of Webbers Falls, Jaymie Breedlove of Muskogee, Harlan Lloyd Johnson and wife, Lesly of Wagoner; 25 great grandchildren; sisters, Lena Mae Graves of Porum, Maxine Bolding of Muskogee, and Hazel Shouse of Tulsa; brothers, Bill Hughes of Hulbert and Charles Hughes of Muskogee; other family members and friends. Funeral services for Dean will be 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 1, 2013 at Porum Assembly of God Church with Pastor Joedy Hendrix and Pastor Floyd Collins officiating. Interment will follow at Coleman Cemetery in Porum with Kevin Howard, Kenneth Howard, Glin LaRue, Jason Howard, Harlan Lloyd Johnson, and Billy Hughes serving as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Pete LaRue, Rat Hicks, Bill Haney, Matt Perryman, Wesley Perryman, and Harlan Johnson.

Wilma Dean Howard

March 8, 1934 - July 28, 2013