Wife of Calvin Hickman Howell

"A tender mother and a faithful friend"

Printed in The Davis News on Aug. 5, 1909; Reprinted with permission

Mrs. Rhoda Howell (best known as Grandma Howell) who is 96 years old is visiting her grand daughter Mrs. W. K. Crippen. She lost her eye sight about 14 years ago. She has been making her home with the Butterly family the past 16 years. This is the first time she has been away from home in two years. On this trip Grandma took her first ride in an automobile which is owned by her grandson, Tom Grant. And if her health permits she intends visiting her son Dr. T. P. Howell and her daughter Mrs. Matt Wolf. Her son Calvin, from Eagleton, Okla., is visiting her now.

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The Davis News, Mar. 2, 1911

Grandma Howell Dead.

Mrs. Rhoda Howell, one of the oldest person in the state, died Monday night after a few days' illness of pneumonia. She lacked just three years of being 100 years old. Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. J. H. Rogers, pastor of the Methodist church of Davis. Interment was in the family graveyard several miles west of Davis.

Mrs. Rhoda Pitchlynn Howell was born at Columbus, Miss., Jan. 31st, 1814. With her husband she moved to the Choctaw Nation in 1841. In 1865 her husband died and the following year she moved to the Chickasaw Nation where she resided the remainder of her life. She was the mother of 14 children, only two of which survive her - Dr. T. P. Howell and Mrs. Mat Wolf. Though very old, she retained good health and great activity till a few days prior to her death. She was blind however, the last 14 or 15 years.

Mrs. Howell was a devoted christian all her life - first a member of the old school Presbyterian church and for the last half century a Methodist. She was a character of prominence and lived a life worthy of emulation. She was beloved by all, and though she reached an age seldom attained and death would naturally be expected most any time, the news of her death was learned with sorrow and regret. She has passed from this world to receive the reward of the faithful.

Note: bio info provided by Judy Meador Sanders