Billie Grace Webb Howell

HOWELL, Billie Grace Webb, 97, of Richmond, died peacefully on January 27, 2023, at Westminster Canterbury, with her family by her side. She was preceded in death by her parents, Velma Carolyn and William Taylor Webb; her husband, George Cook Howell Jr.; her sister, Velma Kathleen Weiss; and her daughter, Jean Lee Howell. She is survived by her son, George Cook Howell III and his wife, Cynthia Myers Howell; her daughter, Anne Howell McElroy, M.D., and her husband, John Lee McElroy III; her grandchildren, Sloan Howell Loving (Todd), George Howell (Elizabeth), Morgan Milligan, Lee McElroy, Peyton McElroy and Gracie McElroy; her great-grandchildren, Catherine, Hunter, George, Betsy and Virginia; and her niece, Jane Weiss McSpadden.

Billie Grace spent her childhood in Lamesa, Texas and attended Texas Tech University, where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. After receiving a bachelor's degree in business administration and earning her master's degree in education, she began teaching at Texas Tech. While living in Lubbock, she met and married her beloved husband, George. They moved to New Orleans for five years and then settled in George's hometown of Richmond. As her children grew older, Billie Grace returned to teaching. For 14 years, she had a strong and positive influence educating third grade boys at St. Christopher's School. She loved "her boys" and remembered each one long after she retired. She also devoted much time and energy to the Children's Hospital Foundation, where she served on the Senior Board for many years. She was an active member of First Presbyterian Church and enjoyed The Country Club of Virginia, The Woman's Club and The Tuckahoe Woman's Club.

Billie Grace was a steel magnolia, smart and resilient, always charming and gracious, with a twinkle in her eye and a quick wit. Although she lived in Richmond for over 60 years, she never lost her West Texas drawl, the ability to tell a Texas tall tale, or her love of all things Texas. She typically could be found baking decadent sweets to share with others, cooking her legendary fried chicken, or walking her daily five mile route. Billie Grace quietly lived out her faith and found her greatest joy in giving unconditional love to her family and friends. For that we are ever grateful.

The family expresses their deepest gratitude for the exceptional and loving care that Billie Grace received at Westminster Canterbury, especially to Dr. William Reed, Aja, Cheryl, Tamika, Michelle and the rest of the fabulous team on the first floor of Parsons Healthcare. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 4, at First Presbyterian Church, 4602 Cary Street Road, with a reception to follow. The service may be viewed online on YouTube.com under FPC.Richmond. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church, Children's Hospital Foundation, Westminster Canterbury Foundation, St. Christopher's School, or a charity dear to you.