Willie Mae Howell

Willie Mae Howell, 88, of Houston, passed away peacefully in hospice on August 23, 2007. Born January 18, 1919, in Lewisville, Texas, she was the fifth of eleven children born to Mr. and Mrs. N. G. Haggard of Stanton. Willie Mae was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, who became a successful hair stylist and long-time independent Houston salon owner, later residing several years in Texas City before final retirement. She was preceded in death by her father and mother, husbands, Thomas Eugene Graham and Earl Melton Howell, daughter, Joyce Nelson Murff (and Joyce's spouses, Lois Nelson and David Murff), grandchildren, the Babies Nelson, brothers, Jerry, James (and spouse, Faye), Rob, Buster, Alex and Tommy Haggard, sisters, Helen (and spouse, William) Langley and Elizabeth (and spouse, Cornelius) Meek, and brothers-in-law, Vernon Langley and Reverend Leslie Kelly.Willie Mae is survived by son, Jerry Wayne (and spouse, Donna Shields) Graham of Weatherford, daughter, Shelia Marie (and spouse, Forrest Brooks) Smith of League City, son, Phillip Boyd (and spouse, Debra J.) Howell of Houston, son, Melton Paul Howell (and partner, H. Richard Williams) of Houston, sisters, Oma Clay (and spouse, Albert) Johnson of Stanton and Emma Jean Langley of Lubbock, as well as sisters-in-law, Esther, Mildred and Ruby Haggard of Stanton, Hazel Couey of Pearland and Gleta Haggard of the San Antonio area. Surviving grandchildren are pallbearer, Marty Wayne (and spouse, Susan) Graham, pallbearer, Stephen Michael (and spouse, Sandy) Graham, honorary pallbearer, Phillip Joshua (and spouse, Ashley) Smith, Audrey Elaine and Chelsea Kathleen Smith, honorary pallbearer, Samuel Jay Howell, and Michele (and spouse, Curtis) Farr. Great grandchildren include Kendra, Jacklyn, Sydny, Maddox and Mason Graham, Shayna Bolin, Louis and Cade Ross, and (the anticipated birth of) Connor Smith. She leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews, including pallbearers, Leon Langley of San Angelo, Willie (and son, Chad) Wells of Stanton and Lonnie Newton of Big Spring. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. on Sunday, August 26th, at Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home in Big Spring, with the funeral service in the Nalley-Pickle & Welch Rosewood Chapel at 10 a.m. on Monday, August 27th. Interment will follow at Trinity Memorial Park in Big Spring. Arrangements under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Big Spring. Online condolences can be made at: www.npwelch.com,