Doris Ann Barnes Brown Howell

Doris Ann Barnes Brown Howell, age 97, resident of Fort Scott, Kansas, spent her life looking forward to new experiences. On October 4, 2011, she began enjoying yet another new experience. She went to a place that had been prepared for her by her Savior Jesus Christ. She was welcomed there by her husband Francis Edwin Howell, her parents Edgar Monroe Barnes and Eula Lenora Garner Barnes. Her brothers were waiting there as well, Edgar Eugene Barnes with his wife Elisabeth and her youngest brother Lanis Garner Barnes with his wife Mary. Doris had enjoyed over 91 years living in Pasadena, Texas and then a new experience of moving to Fort Scott, Kansas. For over 6 years she was surrounded by the love and support of three generations of her family. Doris graduated from Pasadena High School in 1931. She attended Iowa State University and Colorado State University. She graduated with her teacher's degree from Southwest Texas State Teachers College. She received her Masters from The University of Houston. Doris had the experience of working for the Pasadena School District for 45 years. She spent 10 years teaching Home Economics and then the new experience of becoming their 1st Director of Cafeterias. She enjoyed that position for 35 years and retired in 1979. During that time she was elected President of the Texas School Food Service Association. She served as the Southwest Regional Director and she was elected the National President of the American School Food Service Association. She traveled extensively and spoke publicly at workshops, schools, universities, corporations and local book clubs. Doris was a member of Retired Teacher's Association, Delta Kappa Gamma, Pasadena Area Retired School Employees, Texas Association for School Nutrition, Texas School Food Service Association and is a Past Matron of the Eastern Star. She was also the first worthy advisor of the Pasadena Rainbow Assembly #93.

One of her childhood goals (which she accomplished) was to travel to every state in the United States and visit their capitals. Doris spent 50 years encouraging and traveling with her daughter Gypsy and her family while they showed horses across the United States. She experienced the Deer Park Riding Club, the Pasadena Youth Riding Club, the American Quarter Horse Association, the National Cutting Horse Association, the Pinto Horse Association World Shows and the AMHR Miniature Horse Nationals.

Doris loved the Lord and enjoyed teaching an adult Sunday School class at South Main Baptist Church in Pasadena for many years. She enjoyed being part of a group called The Crafty Ladies. When she moved to Fort Scott she became a member of Faith Christian Center and enjoyed attending Cowboy Connection Cowboy Church.

Doris was married to Daniel Glenn Brown from 1945 to 1959. On March 7, 1973 she married Edwin "Teeler" Francis Howell, her high school sweetheart and they enjoyed living life to the fullest together. For 30 years they fished the Gulf of Mexico, Acapulco, the Yucatan Peninsula and Alaska. They also enjoyed a trip to Europe and attended many professional sporting events. One of their highlights was having season tickets to the then Houston Oilers football team.

She was loved and will be missed by her daughter Gypsy and husband Tim O'Neal of Fort Scott, KS Their children Toni and Todd Ruggles and children Haley, Dylan and Aubry of Fort Scott, KS. Marcus and Lari O'Neal and children Tate, Macy, Brady and Teeler Gage of North Zulch, TX. Tyler and Darlene O'Neal of Athens, TX. Gypsy's sister Niki Rapattoni and her husband Andy of Westlake Village, CA.

Doris and Edwin enjoyed two sons. John Howell of Timberon, NM. His children John and Natalie and their son Marcus of Las Cruces, NM. John's daughter Abby and her daughter Alexis of Pearland, TX. Ray and Cynthia Howell of Swansboro, NC. His children Nathan and Joanne Howell and their six children of Poquoson, VA. Justin Howell of Salt Lake City, UT. Scott and Tiffany Howell and son Hayden Eric (on the way) of Catonsville, MD.

Doris had a nephew and nieces who were like children to her. Bill and Barbara Barnes of Junction, TX. Mary Lanise Barnes of Kerrville, TX. Dixie Lee and Don Garnett of Padre Island, TX and their son Lee Garnett of Albuquerque, NM.

She enjoyed many wonderful friendships and new experiences throughout her life.

Gypsy O'Neal officiated the service at Faith Christian Center, 2203 Deer Road in Garland, KS, on Saturday, October 8th.

In honor of Doris Ann, memorials can be given to Faith Christian Center of Garland, KS for their building fund, and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, Kansas 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.