Vena Elizabeth Howard of Elmore City, Oklahoma was born to William A. and Nellie (Horton) Cassell in Marshall, Arkansas on October 31, 1912. She entered eternal life on Saturday, March 12, 2011 surrounded by family at the Coal County Hospital in Coalgate, Oklahoma. She was 98 years young. Vena spent her childhood days in Canaan, Arkansas where she attended school. At the age of 16 years she moved with her family to the Staley Community south of Purcell, Oklahoma. Vena and Lester Charles Howard were united in marriage in October 1, 1932. The couple lived in the Staley Community until around 1936 when they moved to Eola. Lester and Vena were charter members of the Satterwhite Missionary Baptist Church. They later moved into Elmore City where they lived and raised their children and grandchildren. Vena worked at the Pauls Valley State School where she was a patient advocate. She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Elmore City. Vena enjoyed gardening, cooking, sewing, canning, quilting, crocheting and fishing. She was a strong supporter of 4-H. Those who knew Vena knew that family and the time she spent with them was the most important thing in her life. She taught her family the importance of hard work and being good stewards of what God gives you. She set an example of keeping family ties strong that has carried over from generation to generation. Vena was preceded in death by her husband, Lester Charles Howard in 2007; her daughter, Nellie Alice Niblett; her brother Veneda Cassell; her sister Vera Turner, her parents W. A. and Nellie Cassell; and her great-granddaughter Lauren Pickett. Vena is survived by: Her children and grandchildren – Billy Ray (Betty) Howard of Maysville; Charles Wendell Howard (Becky) of Elmore City; Mike Niblett (Kathey) of Morehead, Kentucky; Chuck Pirtle (Becky) of Frederick, Oklahoma; Nancy (Tony) Pickett of Coalgate, Oklahoma; Chip Howard (Nancy) of Elmore City; Jared Howard of Weatherford, Oklahoma; Scott Woods (Jody) of Pauls Valley; Debbie (Larry) Durham of Norman, Oklahoma Her sister – Willie Nell McKee of Elmore City Her brother – D. J. Cassell of Allen, Oklahoma 20 Great Grandchildren and 18 Great-Great Grandchildren Funeral services are scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. in the First Baptist Church of Elmore City with Dr. Bruce McCray officiating. Interment will be in the Elmore City Cemetery. Services are under the direction of Wooster Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Baptist Children's Home in care of the First Baptist Church P.O. Box 247 Elmore City, OK 73433 or Mary Hurley Manor Retirement Center #7 N. Covington Coalgate, OK 74538 You may send a condolence to the family at www.woosterfuneralhomes.com