Josephine Putman Howard, 100, of Beaumont, died Saturday, August 22, 2009, at Spring Creek Nursing and Rehabilitation in Beaumont.

A native of Phoenix, Arizona, she was born on September 3, 1908, to Anna and Fred Putman, and has been a lifelong resident of Beaumont where she attended public school. She was employed in the commissary at Magnolia Petroleum Company.  After her marriage to Ralph Achley Howard in 1938, they operated a neighborhood grocery store in Beaumont’s north end. Josephine was also an accomplished seamstress.

Her husband, Ralph Howard preceded her in death in 1982.

Her graveside service will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, August 24, 2009, at Forest Lawn Memorial Park under the direction of Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont.