Wanda Jean Howell

Wanda Jean Howell passed peacefully to her eternal home on August 31, 2025, at the age of 85, in Midland, TX.

Wanda Jean Wright was born on December 15, 1939 to Garland and Lucille Wright in Oenaville, TX. She attended school in Brady TX, Deming NM, and Midland, TX.  She graduated midterm in 1957, in the class of 1958 from Midland High School.  She attended some college at Odessa College.

Wanda met the love of her life, Joe Howell, in 1956 in Midland TX.  They were married on December 21, 1957.  Joe entered the Army in December 1959, Wanda went to live with Joe’s parents Richard and Grace in Colorado City, while Joe was in Germany serving in the Army.  He was stationed at Ft Hood, where they met lifelong friends living on the base then moved back to Midland, where Joe worked for TU Electric, until his retirement.  Joe was transferred to the Odessa office in 1969, where they moved and raised their three children there.

Wanda’s career was in the oil business.  She worked at Petroleum Information and then went to work for Marathon Oil Co in Midland, where she retired in 1996.  She loved working and made many friends.  She loved helping people and that led to volunteering with the National Kidney Foundation & the Wagner Noel, where she was named Volunteer Queen by her peers in 2016. She also loved working in VBS and any other volunteering she could do at Crescent Park Baptist Church in Odessa, where they were members since 1969. She loved the Lord and loved going to church and worshiping.

Wanda loved being a mom, grandma and Gigi. The joys of her life were seeing her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She was a huge MOJO fan and had season tickets for many years.  She always made sure she wore her black and white to work every Friday to work.  She loved spending time on Lake Spence at their lake cabin or traveling in their RV around the US. She was a wonderful cook and loved hosting gatherings at her home with friends and family.  She and Joe loved playing dominoes and cards with friends, having coffee with their mall walking friends. She was a wonderful seamstress. Wanda never met a stranger, she was always talking to someone, whether she knew them or not.

Wanda is preceded in death by her husband Joe Howell, parents Garland Wright and Lucille Thomas, Coy Thomas, in laws Richard and Grace Howell, brother-in-law Pete Bauer, brother and sister in law Dick and Mert Howell.

Wanda is survived by her daughter & son in law Terri & David Franklin, son & daughter in law Greg and Karen Howell, daughter & son in law Karel and Nate Zaleski, her sister Garcille Bauer,  sister in law Jeneal Chambers, her grandchildren John and Georgia Franklin, Meagan Franklin, Heather Franklin, Emily Howell, Hunter McSpedden, Parker Zaleski, Peyton Zaleski, her great grandchildren, Noah, Easton, Emelia, Oaklyn, & Elaine, many nieces and nephews.

The family is grateful for the care she received at Legacy Ranch Memory Care and Interim Hospice.

Donations can be made to the Alzheimer Association or the charity of your choice in memory of Wanda Howell.

A memorial service will be at Nalley Pickle Welch Chapel on Saturday, Oct 18, 2025, at 11am.

Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory in Midland.  Online condolences may be made at www.npwelch.com.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Wanda Jean Howell, please visit our Tribute Store.