Mrs. Annie Gladys Howell, 87, transitioned on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at Baptist Memorial Hospital in New Albany.
Mother. Grandmother. Great-Grandmother. Great-great-grandmother. Sister. Aunt. Cousin. Friend. Babysitter. Cook. A nurse on the spot. Sports critic and coach. A political analyst. Listener. Giver. These are only a few ways to describe Annie G. Howell, or as most affectionately called her, Bessie.
Bessie was born on November 19, 1933 in Union County, Mississippi. She attended Union County Training School (UCTS) where she was a standout basketball player for the UCTS Buckeyes. She professed a hope in Christ at an early age and was a member of Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church. She enjoyed domestic homemaking – raising children and babysitting children in the community.
Bessie was a strong, active woman of sharp wit and skill that all those who loved her greatly admired. She enjoyed watching WNBA, college basketball, and Major League Baseball, cheering for some of her favorite teams including the Houston Comets, the Tennessee Lady Vols, the Duke Blue Devils, and the St. Louis Cardinals. With one of her most prized possessions being a portable stereo, she was a fan and avid listener of Ingomar basketball. A true Southern belle, she loved gospel music, especially quartet groups, and was a huge fan of the Staple Singers whom she had seen in concert back in the day. On any given day, she could also be found in the kitchen preparing large meals to feed her family after church on Sundays, on holidays, and a Friday night fish fry every now and then. The summer months with her grands included some of the most precious memories – riding bikes with her watching from the porch with a mason jar full of iced sweet tea, shelling fresh peas with purple hands to show for it, and of course giving her opinion on who her granddaughters were dating (whether solicited or not). Her cool smile, infectious laugh, kind spirit and tough love all combine to create memories that family and friends will hold onto for a lifetime.
Our Heavenly Father called her name, and her soul went peacefully to rest with him on Saturday, February 13. She reunites with loved ones including her parents AreminnieGriffin Bell, Clifford "Scase" Bell, and Clarence Roberson; husband Samuel Houston Howell, daughter Gloria Howell King, and siblings Grady Bell, Willie "Pete" Bell, and Clifford Bell, Jr.
She leaves to cherish her memory: five daughters – Lois Howell, Betty Stubbs (Sammy), Shirley Howell, and Cindy Howell of New Albany, MS, Debbie Stinson of Memphis, TN, and one "favorite son", Troy Howell of Senatobia, MS; eight grandchildren – Katrina Crawford and Justin Gary of New Albany, MS, Tracy Stockard(Curtis) of Pontotoc, MS, Casonya Sherrod (AJ) of Tupelo, MS, Angela Savage (Howard) of Starkville, MS, Ken Stinson of Memphis, TN, Gloria Howell of Bloomington, IN, and Ashley Godwin (Tyler) of Atlanta, GA; thirteen great-grandchildren – Jay Pickens, GloryonaKing, Leighya McKay, Maddison and Addison McThuneof New Albany, MS; Alexis Pickens of Pontotoc, MS; Khalil Massey of Hickory Flat, MS; Alanda King of Houlka, MS; Delmar Coleman III of Tupelo, MS; Amara, Amarion, and Amaya Savage of Starkville, MS; and Ezra Godwin of Atlanta, GA; two great-great-grandchildren – Karmyn Pickens of Pontotoc, MS and Ca'Mari Wallace of Houlka, MS; three sisters-in-law – Mary Ann Heard Bell of Pontotoc, Mississippi, Eloise Bell of Goodyear, Arizona, and Annie Ruth Howell of Racine, Wisconsin; a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. Bessie was known and loved by so many in the local community and across the country, some who had met her and others who only knew her through family members who raved about her being simply the best. Her family is committed to honoring her memory and the beautiful legacy she has established.
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you.
Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. John 14:27
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 21, 2021 from 11a.m., until 1p.m., at Serenity-Simmons Funeral Home Chapel in New Albany. Burial will take place at Pleasant Grove Cemetery in Ingomar, MS. Serenity-Simmons Funeral Home of New Albany is in charge of the arrangements.
