Thelma Mae Howell

Thelma Mae Howell, age 93, of Manassas, VA passed away on Friday February 3, 2017 at her residence with her family. She was born on January 14, 1924 in Chuckatuck, VA, the daughter of the late Fitz and Willie (Cowling) Morris. She was preceded in death by her son, Walter K Howell and two grandchildren, Stephen and Tuara Howell. Thelma attended and was baptized at Little Bethel Baptist Church in Chuckatuck VA. Thelma graduated from East Suffolk HS in 1942 and went on to work for Planters Peanuts. In 1946 she moved to New York where she married her high school sweetheart, Walter H Howell of Suffolk, Va. They were married for 70 years when she passed. Thelma worked for the New York Telephone Co. She started her career as a telephone operator, she worked various positions, ending as a business office representative. She retired from New York Telephone Co after 35+ years. Thelma loved to travel with family and friends; cruising, staying in hotels or campers, by car, train, boat or plane, it didn’t matter, she was always ready to go. She loved being around her children and her children’s friends, with many of them calling her Mom or Grandma. If you came to visit, you were going to eat and possibly leave with a goody bag. In 1988 she and Walter moved back to Virginia Beach, their home was always open, several of her grandchildren stayed with them while they attended college. As her health started to fail her, in 2012 they moved to Fredericksburg and then in 2014 to Manassas, to be closer to family. Thelma is survived by her loving husband, Walter H Howell; two children, Linda D Latorre of Woodbridge, VA and Anthony Howell and his wife Sandra of Manassas, VA; five grandchildren, Michelle Cox and husband Reginald, Kristi Latorre, Lorenzo Sanchez, Devin Howell, and Isaiah Howell; two great grandchildren, Sharnette Howell, Kayla Moultrie and a host of nieces and nephews. We would like to Thank Rev. Larry Felder of Montclair Community Church, in Montclair, NJ for officiating the service. Larry, has been part of our extended family for over 50 years. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00PM Thursday, February 9, 2017 at Pierce Funeral Home, 9609 Center Street, Manassas, VA where funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Friday, February 10, 2017 with Rev. Larry Felder officiating. Interment will follow at Quantico National Cemetery.

Thelma Mae Howell

January 14, 1924 - February 3, 2017