Funeral services for Retha “Louella” Howell, 81, will be held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, February 20, 2018 in the Ferguson Funeral Home Chapel with J.R. Smith officiating and Matt Pannell assisting.
Retha Louella (Decker) Howell, known as Louella, was born June 16, 1936 in Jenny Lind, Arkansas, the daughter of Bill Decker and Annie (Spencer) Decker. She died Wednesday, February 14, 2018 in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
Louella grew up in Arkansas and graduated from Greenwood High School in 1954.
On June 19, 1954, she married Nelson Howell in Greenwood, Arkansas. Soon after, they moved to Tulsa where Nelson was going to college. They lived in Tulsa for many years, raising a son, Kevin and a daughter, Kathy. Louella and Nelson were married for over 63 years.
Louella worked as a secretary for an oilfield and production company. She loved to collect angels. She was a member of the Church of Christ her entire life.
She was preceded in death by both parents, one grandson, Joe Daniel Briden, two brothers and two sisters.
Survivors include her husband, Nelson Howell; daughter and son-in-law, Kathy and Bill Briden; son and daughter-in-law, Kevin and LaDeane Howell; five grandchildren and their spouses, David Briden, Elizabeth Fitch, Julie Chavarria, Robert Howell, and Sarah Briden-May; seven great grandchildren; and other extended family and friends.
The family will hold a visitation, Saturday, February 17th from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Ferguson Funeral Home. Louella’s choice was cremation following the services, which are arranged under the direction of Ferguson Funeral Home.
Interment of the cremains will be in Fairlawn Cemetery at a later date.