Elizabeth Irene Howard

MIDLAND - Elizabeth Irene Howard, age 101, of Midland, Texas, was born on February 21, 1921 in Duncan, Oklahoma to Frank & Pearl Baughn. She passed away peacefully on July 14, 2022 and woke up to streets of gold with her Heavenly Father & loved ones who went before her.

"Snooky" was a nickname she earned as a young child and would be how most of her friends would refer to her to this day. Her father, Frank, was an oil man which eventually sent the family to Tyler, Texas, where she would grow up and graduate high school. She met the love of her life, Raymond Howard, while in high school. The couple married on August 3, 1940. They would later move to Midland, Texas in 1947 where Raymond was employed with Atlantic Oil Company. Snooky and Raymond welcomed their only child and daughter, Beth, on July 27, 1953.

While living in Midland, the family was very active in their church home, First Presbyterian. Together Raymond and Snooky would go on to serve in the ministry by teaching young children in Sunday School. This brought them great joy and they were remembered fondly by all those whose lives they touched as they shared the love of Christ.

After Raymond's retirement from ARCO, he and Snooky enjoyed traveling the world together and were blessed to be able to visit the Arctic, Australia, Australia, France, Germany, Turkey, Greece, Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Jamaica, Mediterranean, Korea, New Zealand, Africa, South America, Hawaii, Alaska, China, Japan, the Caribbean Islands, Thailand, Singapore, Vietnam, Canada, England, Scotland, Ireland, Russia, Italy, and the majority of the continental 48 states. In their spare time Raymond & Snooky became avid birdwatchers. Many friends and Midland residents would call her when they spotted a rare bird and she could always identify its species. Snooky was also a master bridge player and enjoyed many days at the clubhouse around a table with friends. She and Raymond would get up each morning and walk at least two miles, and she would tell you this was one of her keys to longevity. Snooky also helped with George W. Bush's first campaign for congress and volunteered with the Republican Women of Midland.

In June of 1981, Raymond and Snooky welcomed the birth of their one and only granddaughter, Margaret. Many weekends were spent together having picnics, baking cookies, or riding bikes to the neighborhood park.

Following Raymond's death in 1987, Snooky continued her world travels with some of her dear friends. She also continued to serve the community of Midland by delivering Meals on Wheels and volunteering with several other organizations. She loved learning new things and registered for several College Classic courses offered through Midland College. Snooky continued her work at First Presbyterian for years, by preparing meals for Angels in Aprons or assisting with the Prime Timers. Her family would laugh when she'd go make popcorn at the church for "the old people" and she was 20 years their senior!

In December of 1997, Snooky lost her precious son-in-law, Sherman Carrell. She stepped up and saw the family through some of their darkest days and was truly the backbone of the family.

Snooky bravely faced and beat Stage 3 breast cancer at 80 years of age! It made her so grateful for each day and she would tell you what a blessed woman she was! She didn't know just how rich life could be until she was blessed with her great-granddaughters Grace Elizabeth and Faith Noelle Sayger. She shared a special bond with them and was able to see them do and accomplish many things. They were the apple of her eye and she loved to show them off to everyone she saw!

Snooky moved to an independent living apartment at Manor Park in 2009. She enjoyed welcoming potential and new residents to the community and was featured in several commercials and newspaper ads. While living at Manor Park, Snooky loved playing Bingo, going to happy hour, trips out to eat with friends, and attending the vesper service in the campus chapel. She was moved into nursing care in October 2021 where the staff took such excellent care of "Ms. Snooky." The family would like to thank those at Manor Park for wonderful love and care they gave her in the last few months of her life.

Snooky is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Pearl Baughn, sister Coleen Johnson, brother Lt. Col. Julius Henry Baughn, husband, Raymond Howard and son-in-law Sherman Carrell. She is survived by her daughter Beth Carrell and long-time boyfriend, John Carroll of Odessa, granddaughter Margaret Sayger & husband Brandt and great-granddaughters Grace & Faith Sayger of Monahans.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers that donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Midland, Meals on Wheels, Manor Park, Sibley Nature Center or a charity of your choice.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ellisfunerals.com for the Howard family.

A visitation for Elizabeth will be held Monday, July 18, 2022 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Ellis Resthaven Funeral Home, 4616 N Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705. A chapel service will occur Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 10:00 AM, 4616 N Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705. A burial will occur Tuesday, July 19, 2022 at 11:00 AM, 4616 N Big Spring Street, Midland, Texas 79705.