Nelda Howard

On Friday, February 9, 2018, Nelda Howard went to her eternal rest, surrounded by loved ones. She entered this life in Maypearl, Texas on April 3, 1931, born to Lynton Stoddard Powell and Mary Frances Gryder Powell (later Parsons). She attended Waxahachie High School where she met the love of her life, William Robert (Bob) Howard. They were married shortly after graduation on July 30, 1948. She went to work right after high school, first with Southwestern Bell Telephone Co., in Dallas. Later, she took a position with Tyler Refrigeration in Waxahachie. In the early 1960s, Nelda and Bob opened and operated Howard's Athletic and Gift Shop in downtown Waxahachie for several years. In October 1965, she began her banking career at Citizens National Bank of Waxahachie, where she remained for thirty-one years. She retired as Senior Vice President on April 19, 1996. After two years of retirement, Nelda went to work for the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce. In October of 2002, she returned to CNB until August, 2004, when she moved to Tool, Texas.

Nelda's family was the primary focus of her life and took precedent over everything else. She and Bob attended and cherished every sports event, every dance and music recital involving her children and grandchildren. Bob, her husband of nearly thirty-seven years, passed away on July 2, 1985. After his death, she remained busy with family life and work, but also continued her involvement with community services. Over the years, she served as President of the Opti-Mrs. Club, Director of the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce, WHS Ex-Students Assn. Treasurer, WHS Ex-Students Assn. Chairman, Gingerbread Trail Treasurer, United Way Drive Chairman, United Way Director and President, YMCA Director and Treasurer, Hillcrest Cemetery Assn. Director, American Heart Assn. Director, WHS Ex-Students Scholarship Committee and the Study and Planning Committee for WISD. She was the first woman inducted into the Waxahachie Rotary Club on June 3, 1988, and later served the Rotary Club as President in 1995-96.

Later in life, Nelda again found love and companionship with Charles Berry, formerly of Waxahachie. They married on October 23, 2004 and lived in Tool, Texas until his death in early 2008.

Nelda was preceded in death by her husband, Bob Howard; her grandparents, parents and stepfather, Alton Parsons; her second husband, Charles Berry; and many other dear family members and friends. She was a member of St. Athanasius Anglican Church of Waxahachie.

She is survived by her children: William "Bill" Robert Howard II of Point, TX; Lisa Howard Rosewell (Brian) of Waxahachie; Amy Frances Howard, also of Waxahachie; and Richard Blake Howard (Mechelle) of Calera, OK; Her surviving grandchildren are James Derek Howard, Amanda Kirkpatrick (Angel), Richard Blake Howard II, Kathleen Rosewell Vega (Jerry), Robert Douglas Howard (Kaylan), Samuel Nash Rosewell, Jacob Bradley Howard, Benjamin Henry Rosewell and Elizabeth Bartgen Rosewell. Also surviving are Nelda's great-grandchildren Curtis, Addison, Autumn, Caleb, Amelia, Adylynn, Analisa, Ryleigh, and "Button", due in October 2018; nieces Beverly Berry Brimley and Jamie Berry Klein; and special daughters Cindy Langford, Jill Howard and Juan Davis, all of Waxahachie. Her life was rich with friendships from her childhood through her later years. But special mention must be made of her dear friend and partner-in-crime at CNB, Harold Barnard, and the Ladies of CNB, (her own "Gang of 8"): Janell Thornton, Janie Moses, Peggy Loftis, Joan Morton, Joy Ratzman (deceased), Cindy Smith and Nanette Paghi.

Honorary pallbearers will be Nelda's six grandsons: Derek, Blake, Robert, Sam, Jake and Ben.

Arrangements are under the direction of Wayne Boze Funeral Home, Waxahachie. There will be a family visitation on Thursday, February 15, 2018 from 5-8 p.m. A graveside service is set for 11:00 a.m., Friday, February 16 at Hillcrest Cemetery, Waxahachie, followed by a memorial service at 12:00 p.m., St. Athanasius Anglican Church, Francesca Chapel, 308 N. Monroe, Waxahachie. Services will be conducted by Rev. William E. Mouser, rector of St. Athanasius. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Nelda's memory to the following: St. Athanasius Anglican Church, Waxahachie; and FirstLook Clinic, 1204 Ferris Ave., Suite E, Waxahachie, TX 75165.

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