Obituary of Mary Howard

Mary Ann Howard was born July 12, 1930 in Birmingham, AL to John William "Bill" and Mary (Coulbourn) Basore. She passed from this life in her sleep on Friday, January 13, 2012. Her lively spirit was present as she was able to enjoy family and friends during the holiday season. Her southern charm and kind hand will be missed by all. Mary Ann's family moved to New Orleans before coming to Tulsa in 1945. After graduating from Central High School, she returned to the University of Alabama where she was reacquainted with a childhood friend, Bobby Howard. They married in 1951 and lived at Naval Station Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida, before returning to Tulsa where they joined First Presbyterian Church and started their family. Mary Ann and Bob were active members of the Mariner Sunday School Class for over 40 years. She participated in many aspects of the church as a Deaconess, a Stephen Minister, Meals on Wheels volunteer, and taught Sunday School classes. She loved being a member of PEO. Mary Ann was an avid gardener and was a long time member of several Tulsa Garden Clubs and enjoyed her time as a docent at the Tulsa Garden Center. She always said she was happiest when she was "digging in the dirt" with her "growies." Mary Ann was preceded in death by her husband, Robert E. Howard III, in 1998. She is survived by her brother, Dr. John W. Basore and his wife, Donna of Huntsville, AL and their family, Brooke and Nathan Kastner of Auburn AL; her son, Robert E. Howard, IV and his wife, Dana of Dallas, Texas and their children, Molly of Austin, TX and Robert V. of Dallas; her daughter, Coulbourn Edwards and her husband, Allan J. "Scotty" Edwards III, and their children, Allan J. "Chip" Edwards IV and Couper B. Edwards, all of Tulsa; and son, William H. Howard and his wife, Cindy and their children, Joshua and Abby all of Tulsa. A memorial service will be held 2:00 pm Tuesday, January 17, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church. Friends may contribute in Mary Ann's memory to First Presbyterian Church, 709 S. Boston Ave., Tulsa, OK 74119. Ninde Funeral Directors, Brookside Chapel (918) 742-5556. ninde.com