Paula Ann Richard Howell, age 55, died at 12:39 a.m., Tuesday, July 18, 2006, surrounded by her family and friends, at her home in Fannett, Texas. Paula fought a strong and courageous nineteen year battle with cancer. Paula was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, on October 21, 1950. She was the daughter of Stanley and Frances Culbertson, of Beaumont, Texas, and John “Preston” Richard and wife Hazel Richard, of Creole, Louisiana. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Eumea Richard of Creole, Louisiana, and Frank and Vera Wing, of Mt. Holly, New Jersey.
Survivors include her loving husband of twenty-six years, Billy Howell of Fannett; sons, Billy Howell, Jr. of Galveston, Texas, and Stoney Howell, of Magnolia, Texas; and her daughter, Jodi Johnson, and husband Jeff Johnson of DeRidder, Louisiana. Jodi and Jeff's children, were her precious grandsons, Jordan, Ty, and Micah Johnson. Paula had two siblings; sister, Nancy Fruge’, and husband, Melvin, of Ocala, Florida, and brother, Richard Ray Richard, and wife, Shontelle, of Creole, Louisiana. Paula was a beloved daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, sibling, aunt, and friend, who was cherished and loved by all who knew her. She will be sadly missed by all.
A 1968 graduate of South Cameron High School, Paula was an outstanding athlete in track, basketball, and softball. She set many local school and state records. In addition, she was an accomplished horsewoman, who enjoyed working cattle and breaking her own horses. She was also, extremely proud of her Cajun heritage. She was previously employed by Gulf Supply in Houston, Texas, and McJunkin Corporation, in Beaumont, Texas, where she worked in sales to major petrochemical and refining companies. She had a very competitive spirit and a sustaining drive to live and love her family and friends. These strong attributes helped her to endure her long fight with cancer.
A gathering of family and friends will be Thursday evening, July 20, from 5:00-6:30 p.m., with a Christian vigil to follow at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Friday, July 21, 2006 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, I-10 (south side) and 365 in Fannett, Texas. Honorary pallbearers will be Jeff, Jordan, Ty, and Micah Johnson (son-in-law and grandchildren), Freddy Bucholtz, Stan Culbertson, and Mike Howell (brother-in-law).
If desired, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to The American Cancer Society, P. O. Box 5144, Beaumont, Texas 77726; Humane Society of Southeast Texas, P O Box 1629, Beaumont, Texas 77704; or the charity of your choice.
The family would like to thank Dr. Scott McKenney and his staff at the Mamie McFaddin Ward Cancer Center, for their outpouring of love, care, and support during Paula’s extended illness.
