Our Sympathy Extended to the Family of Nora Jane (Neal) Howell
Nora Jane (Neal) Howell, age 93, a cherished resident of Tupelo, Oklahoma, passed away on July 8, 2024, in Coalgate, Oklahoma. She was born on February 2, 1931, to William Dennis and Lessie (May) Neal in Rosedale, Oklahoma. Jane lived a full life of 93 years, 5 months, and 6 days.
Jane graduated from Maysville High School in 1949 and pursued her passion for education at East Central University, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in 1965 and her Master’s Degree in 1975. She dedicated her career to teaching at Tupelo Public Schools from 1965 to 1988, touching countless lives with her wisdom and kindness.
On October 20, 1950, she married Aikman Albert Howell in Van Buren, Arkansas. They shared 64 loving years together until his passing on July 24, 2015. Jane was a devoted member of the Church of Christ in Tupelo, Oklahoma. She found joy in watching sports, especially cheering for the Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, and OU. Her hobbies included painting, sewing, playing dominoes, and other games. Jane was renowned for her delicious pies and cherished the time spent with her loved ones.
Jane is survived by her daughters, Kay Mader and husband Terry of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Debra Jane Sheen of Centrahoma, Oklahoma; her grandchildren, Jason Mader and wife Heidi of York, Nebraska, Jillian Johnson and husband Peter of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Sarah Jane Bills and husband Josh of Centrahoma, Oklahoma; and her great-grandchildren, Micah and Jonah Poyzer of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Bentley and Peyton Bills of Centrahoma, Oklahoma. She is also survived by her special nephew, Vincent “Buddy” Neal of Battiest, Oklahoma, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and many former students. Jane was preceded in death by her husband, Aikman Albert Howell; her parents, William Dennis and Lessie (May) Neal; her son, Aikman Albert Howell Jr.; her brothers, W.M. Neal, Othel Neal, and Vincent Neal; and her special niece, Theda Jo Worrell. Services to celebrate Jane’s life will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, July 12th, 2024, at the Tupelo Church of Christ in Tupelo, Oklahoma, officiated by Wendell Ingram. Interment will follow at Centrahoma Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday from 1-8 PM. Condolences may be sent to the family via email to brownsfscoalgate@sbcglobal.net. Please reference the name of the deceased in your correspondence. Services are under the direction of BrownObit ’s Funeral Service in Coalgate, Oklahoma.