Mildred C. Howell, 94, of Roanoke Rapids, was accompanied by her Lord to be with past loved ones, especially Dewy Crutchfield, her beloved father, on December 3, 2016.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Dewy and Mollie Crutchfield of Roanoke Rapids and her stepson William M. Howell, Jr. of Rocky Mount, NC.
Mildred is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 56+ years, William Mack Howell; her children, Dennis Wayne Rogers (Jannie Harris) of Newport News, VA; Belinda Kay Rogers of Fort Mill, SC; James Steven Rogers (Susan) of E. Falmouth, MA, and: step daughter Linda Howell of Rocky Mount, NC. She is also survived by 15 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren.
Mildred began her work life, as many did in Roanoke Rapids, working in the textile mills in Emporia, VA. In 1954, after witnessing Hurricane Hazel, Mildred made a determination that she would not be away from her children during such times and began to improve her typing and shorthand skills. In 1955, she was hired as a clerk/typist at the Law Firm of Allsbrook, Benton and Knott. She became so proficient in her new found profession that State Senator Julian R. Allsbrook made her his private secretary/legal assistant.
In 1967, Mr. Allsbrook encouraged Mildred to become a NC Court Reporter. Needing a High School Diploma, and having dropped out of High School, Mildred studied to obtain her GED. Upon taking the test at Chowan College, according to a letter sent to Mr. Allsbrook, she scored the highest ever seen at that institution. In 1967, Mildred became a NC Court Reporter and remained in that position until she retired in 1985. Never one to sit still, Mildred immediately unretired and worked another 10 years until 1995
In 2007, at the age of 85, having been a member of the Lakeland Theater Company, Littleton, NC, Mildred began to participate in the presentations. She began by singing in the choir and then proceeded to actually acting on stage in five different productions.
One of Mildred’s most proud accomplishments was her 55 years of service in the Rosemary Baptist Church choir, only ending this participation due to health and age issues. She truly loved this choir and this church.
No one who knows Mildred can forget her love of flowers, all types, colors, shapes and sizes. She is known far and wide for her flower gardens, her greenhouse full of orchids and her total devotion to beauty and the joy her flowers brought to so many. For many years, Mildred belonged to the National Orchid Society and only stopped participation due to age and health reasons. While a member, Mildred won many prestigious awards for her orchids. Many inside and outside of the organization would bring Mildred their no-longer-thriving orchids. She never failed to rejuvenate these poor flowers and return them to their most grateful owners. Her children would often joke that Mom could eat a Popsicle, throw the stick on the ground, and the stick would take root and bloom. Maybe not the full truth, but probably close to it.
Mildred the wife, mother, grandmother and friend will be missed by all who know and love her. Her dedication to and her love for her family will never, ever be forgotten.
The family as a whole, and especially her Grandfather Mack, wants to give heartfelt thanks and their deepest gratitude to Granddaughter Dee Cox, for her unequaled and unselfish support and her tireless efforts during this difficult time. Her tender and loving care of and for her Grandmother and Grandfather was, and continues to be, so much more than simply appreciated.
Due to the family’s deepest appreciation for and gratitude to Community Home Care and Hospice, it is the family’s wishes that in lieu of flowers, a donation be made in Mildred’s name to this most caring and gracious organization. A special thanks must be expressed to Jackie Thompson for her tenderness and support for Mildred and the entire family.
The viewing and family visitation will be held between 7:00pm and 8:30pm, on Monday, 5 December, 2016 at the Hockaday Funeral Home, 507 US-158, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870. Funeral services will be held at 2:00pm on Tuesday, 6 December, 2016 at the Rosemary Baptist Church, 936 Jackson Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC 27870. Interment to follow at Cedarwood Cemetery, Roanoke Rapids, NC.
Online condolences may be sent to www.hockadayfs.com.