Louise East Howze, 91, left her earthly home, surrounded by her loving family, and entered into her eternal home to be with her Lord on October 29, 2016. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Nov. 2 at Blair-Stubbs Chapel. Interment will follow in the Mexia Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kyle Hancock, Ron Capehart, Brandon Oliver, Dr. Kent Howze, Martin Breuer and Steve Bullard. Wayne Jackson will serve as an honorary pallbearer.
Visitation with the family will be from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday, at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home.
Louise was born May 21, 1925 in Coolidge to Arthur Richard and Hattie Bell East. She was a Laundry Supervisor for the Mexia State School, retiring after 16 years of services.
Louise married, the love of her life, Marion Edward “Billy” Howze on Aug. 14, 1943 at the Methodist Church parsonage in Mexia. She and Billy were some of the original members of the Methodist Church, which now houses the pre-school. She loved her church and she was very passionate about helping to supply the needs of the church through fundraisers. They held a number of “rummage sales” to buy a piano for the Upper Room Sunday School class, of which she also served as president. Louise and Billy really enjoyed the occasional church fish fry’s, Billy would catch the fish and she, along with others, would fry them up.
Louise was affectionately known by her family as “Granny Jo.” Granny Jo loved her husband, daughter and Richard (whom she loved as a son), but when her grandson and great-grandsons came along, there was nothing that could compare; they truly won her heart.
Louise, like Billy, was dedicated to the Lake Mexia Volunteer Fire Department. They worked together, side-by-side, organizing fundraisers and working hard toward making it the success. She, enjoyed and took great pride in her yard, planting and growing many beautiful flowers; their yard was recognized, twice, for the “Yard of The Month” award. Watching birds was another of her favorite pastimes, especially, the red birds.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband of 71 years, Billy; three brothers; and six sisters.
Louise is survived by her loving daughter, Vickie Oliver and husband, Richard of Houston; grandson, Brandon Allen Oliver and wife, Carrie; two great-grandsons, Drew Allen Oliver and Ryan Cash Oliver; brother-in-law, Bill Shaw; and numerous nieces and nephews.
The family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Hannah Avista Living Center and Hospice Plus, who were more wonderful than words can say.
Visit blair-stubbs.com to leave the family a memorial message.