Hazel Howell
June 15, 2013
Hazel Edna Martin Howell (93), a well-loved matriarch of Canton, MS, died on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Known by multitudes as "Mama Hazel," she was born in 1920 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She entered MSCW at age 16, and graduated as the class valedictorian at age 19. She moved to Canton, where she found her first job as a home economics teacher and met the love of her life, Dr. John Blanch Howell, Jr.
They married in her family's sunken garden in June of 1941 and the fate of the next few years was determined by WW II. Dr. Howell served as a physician major in the U.S. Army. After the war, they returned to Canton, where he continued to practice family medicine. Hazel was active as a homemaker, scout leader, speech coach, swim teacher and mother of five children. She was an avid gardener and an authority on the history of medicinal plants.
After Dr. Howell died suddenly in 1974, Mama Hazel returned to graduate school and earned a master's degree in family counseling from MSU. She then worked as a counselor in the Canton public schools, and served as publications editor of Phi Theta Kappa.
Hazel's love for her community was exemplified by her sixty-plus years as a Girl Scout volunteer helping girls live the slogan, "do a good turn daily." She supervised and sponsored several Girl Scout troops using scouting as a way to bridge racial gaps in Madison County.
The community has recognized Hazel's work naming her "Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year," Mississippi's Mother of the Year in 1974. She received the very first Girl Scout "Thanks Award." President Reagan presented her with the Lifetime award for her work with youth. She received the Beautiful Activist of Mississippi Award and served for a decade on the Mississippi ETV Board of Directors. In 1998, Canton celebrated, "Hazel Howell Day," where Canton Elementary School staff honored her by naming a wing of the school after her. On the same day she was honored at Allison's Wells Arts and Crafts School for her contributions to that organization.
At age 60, she began to weave fabric, and learned new skills with determination, creativity and a sense of adventure. She made baskets from grapevines, gourds, pine straw and deer antlers and until age 90, she continued to lead "hands-on" weaving workshops for middle school children to promote the skills of spinning and weaving in other cultures. She achieved juried status to the Mississippi Craft Guild, and served as a volunteer, mentor, and friend to the weaving community in Mississippi.
Her yard reflected her generous love and care of creation. She knew the value of good rich soil enhanced by the "fine" gin-waste of Madison County as she fed and called by name her precious 125 varieties of daylilies.
She was a natural mother, who encouraged people of all ages to grow. One neighbor, in her 70's said, "Mama Hazel is still raising me!" In Hazel's words, "All I've tried to do during my life is to be a warm and happy security blanket in the night." The affection she showed to many was reciprocated by anyone who knew her.
Her husband John B. Howell, Jr., her parents, Aaron Monroe Martin and Edna Crawford Martin, and her daughter Marti Howell Speights, predeceased her. Her four children and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive her. Her children are: Dr. John B. Howell III (Stacey) of Fairhope, Alabama, Dr. Monroe M. Howell (Ann) of Thibodaux, Margaret Frothingham (Rich) of Durham, NC, Kat Griffith (Wesley) of Mentone, Alabama. Her grandchildren include: Marianne Royals Wynn (Billy), Jeanne Howell Spedale (Gerry), Monroe Martin Howell II (Tracy), John B. Howell IV (Dena), James B. Howell, Tripp Griffith (Katie), Quincey G. Rhoades (Blake), Collie Griffith, Chloe Griffith, Rick Frothingham, Cameron F. Kruis (Neal), Sunny Frothingham. Great grandchildren are: Michael, Janie and Claire Spedale, Emmaline and Ara Frances Rhoades, and Wesley Griffith IV, John Brian and Sienna Howell.
Visitation was at Breeland Funeral Home, Sunday 5 to 7 P.M., and 3 P.M. Monday at FUMC of Canton. Funeral Service will follow at 4 P.M. with grave side service immediately after. Donations in Mama Hazel's memory may be made to FUMC of Canton, Girl Scouts of MS, or the American Cancer Society.
The Clarion Ledger
June 15, 2013
Hazel Edna Martin Howell (93), a well-loved matriarch of Canton, MS, died on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Known by multitudes as "Mama Hazel," she was born in 1920 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She entered MSCW at age 16, and graduated as the class valedictorian at age 19. She moved to Canton, where she found her first job as a home economics teacher and met the love of her life, Dr. John Blanch Howell, Jr.
They married in her family's sunken garden in June of 1941 and the fate of the next few years was determined by WW II. Dr. Howell served as a physician major in the U.S. Army. After the war, they returned to Canton, where he continued to practice family medicine. Hazel was active as a homemaker, scout leader, speech coach, swim teacher and mother of five children. She was an avid gardener and an authority on the history of medicinal plants.
After Dr. Howell died suddenly in 1974, Mama Hazel returned to graduate school and earned a master's degree in family counseling from MSU. She then worked as a counselor in the Canton public schools, and served as publications editor of Phi Theta Kappa.
Hazel's love for her community was exemplified by her sixty-plus years as a Girl Scout volunteer helping girls live the slogan, "do a good turn daily." She supervised and sponsored several Girl Scout troops using scouting as a way to bridge racial gaps in Madison County.
The community has recognized Hazel's work naming her "Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year," Mississippi's Mother of the Year in 1974. She received the very first Girl Scout "Thanks Award." President Reagan presented her with the Lifetime award for her work with youth. She received the Beautiful Activist of Mississippi Award and served for a decade on the Mississippi ETV Board of Directors. In 1998, Canton celebrated, "Hazel Howell Day," where Canton Elementary School staff honored her by naming a wing of the school after her. On the same day she was honored at Allison's Wells Arts and Crafts School for her contributions to that organization.
At age 60, she began to weave fabric, and learned new skills with determination, creativity and a sense of adventure. She made baskets from grapevines, gourds, pine straw and deer antlers and until age 90, she continued to lead "hands-on" weaving workshops for middle school children to promote the skills of spinning and weaving in other cultures. She achieved juried status to the Mississippi Craft Guild, and served as a volunteer, mentor, and friend to the weaving community in Mississippi.
Her yard reflected her generous love and care of creation. She knew the value of good rich soil enhanced by the "fine" gin-waste of Madison County as she fed and called by name her precious 125 varieties of daylilies.
She was a natural mother, who encouraged people of all ages to grow. One neighbor, in her 70's said, "Mama Hazel is still raising me!" In Hazel's words, "All I've tried to do during my life is to be a warm and happy security blanket in the night." The affection she showed to many was reciprocated by anyone who knew her.
Her husband John B. Howell, Jr., her parents, Aaron Monroe Martin and Edna Crawford Martin, and her daughter Marti Howell Speights, predeceased her. Her four children and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive her. Her children are: Dr. John B. Howell III (Stacey) of Fairhope, Alabama, Dr. Monroe M. Howell (Ann) of Thibodaux, Margaret Frothingham (Rich) of Durham, NC, Kat Griffith (Wesley) of Mentone, Alabama. Her grandchildren include: Marianne Royals Wynn (Billy), Jeanne Howell Spedale (Gerry), Monroe Martin Howell II (Tracy), John B. Howell IV (Dena), James B. Howell, Tripp Griffith (Katie), Quincey G. Rhoades (Blake), Collie Griffith, Chloe Griffith, Rick Frothingham, Cameron F. Kruis (Neal), Sunny Frothingham. Great grandchildren are: Michael, Janie and Claire Spedale, Emmaline and Ara Frances Rhoades, and Wesley Griffith IV, John Brian and Sienna Howell.
Visitation was at Breeland Funeral Home, Sunday 5 to 7 P.M., and 3 P.M. Monday at FUMC of Canton. Funeral Service will follow at 4 P.M. with grave side service immediately after. Donations in Mama Hazel's memory may be made to FUMC of Canton, Girl Scouts of MS, or the American Cancer Society.
The Clarion Ledger
Hazel Howell
June 15, 2013
Hazel Edna Martin Howell (93), a well-loved matriarch of Canton, MS, died on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Known by multitudes as "Mama Hazel," she was born in 1920 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She entered MSCW at age 16, and graduated as the class valedictorian at age 19. She moved to Canton, where she found her first job as a home economics teacher and met the love of her life, Dr. John Blanch Howell, Jr.
They married in her family's sunken garden in June of 1941 and the fate of the next few years was determined by WW II. Dr. Howell served as a physician major in the U.S. Army. After the war, they returned to Canton, where he continued to practice family medicine. Hazel was active as a homemaker, scout leader, speech coach, swim teacher and mother of five children. She was an avid gardener and an authority on the history of medicinal plants.
After Dr. Howell died suddenly in 1974, Mama Hazel returned to graduate school and earned a master's degree in family counseling from MSU. She then worked as a counselor in the Canton public schools, and served as publications editor of Phi Theta Kappa.
Hazel's love for her community was exemplified by her sixty-plus years as a Girl Scout volunteer helping girls live the slogan, "do a good turn daily." She supervised and sponsored several Girl Scout troops using scouting as a way to bridge racial gaps in Madison County.
The community has recognized Hazel's work naming her "Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year," Mississippi's Mother of the Year in 1974. She received the very first Girl Scout "Thanks Award." President Reagan presented her with the Lifetime award for her work with youth. She received the Beautiful Activist of Mississippi Award and served for a decade on the Mississippi ETV Board of Directors. In 1998, Canton celebrated, "Hazel Howell Day," where Canton Elementary School staff honored her by naming a wing of the school after her. On the same day she was honored at Allison's Wells Arts and Crafts School for her contributions to that organization.
At age 60, she began to weave fabric, and learned new skills with determination, creativity and a sense of adventure. She made baskets from grapevines, gourds, pine straw and deer antlers and until age 90, she continued to lead "hands-on" weaving workshops for middle school children to promote the skills of spinning and weaving in other cultures. She achieved juried status to the Mississippi Craft Guild, and served as a volunteer, mentor, and friend to the weaving community in Mississippi.
Her yard reflected her generous love and care of creation. She knew the value of good rich soil enhanced by the "fine" gin-waste of Madison County as she fed and called by name her precious 125 varieties of daylilies.
She was a natural mother, who encouraged people of all ages to grow. One neighbor, in her 70's said, "Mama Hazel is still raising me!" In Hazel's words, "All I've tried to do during my life is to be a warm and happy security blanket in the night." The affection she showed to many was reciprocated by anyone who knew her.
Her husband John B. Howell, Jr., her parents, Aaron Monroe Martin and Edna Crawford Martin, and her daughter Marti Howell Speights, predeceased her. Her four children and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive her. Her children are: Dr. John B. Howell III (Stacey) of Fairhope, Alabama, Dr. Monroe M. Howell (Ann) of Thibodaux, Margaret Frothingham (Rich) of Durham, NC, Kat Griffith (Wesley) of Mentone, Alabama. Her grandchildren include: Marianne Royals Wynn (Billy), Jeanne Howell Spedale (Gerry), Monroe Martin Howell II (Tracy), John B. Howell IV (Dena), James B. Howell, Tripp Griffith (Katie), Quincey G. Rhoades (Blake), Collie Griffith, Chloe Griffith, Rick Frothingham, Cameron F. Kruis (Neal), Sunny Frothingham. Great grandchildren are: Michael, Janie and Claire Spedale, Emmaline and Ara Frances Rhoades, and Wesley Griffith IV, John Brian and Sienna Howell.
Visitation was at Breeland Funeral Home, Sunday 5 to 7 P.M., and 3 P.M. Monday at FUMC of Canton. Funeral Service will follow at 4 P.M. with grave side service immediately after. Donations in Mama Hazel's memory may be made to FUMC of Canton, Girl Scouts of MS, or the American Cancer Society.
The Clarion Ledger
June 15, 2013
Hazel Edna Martin Howell (93), a well-loved matriarch of Canton, MS, died on Saturday, June 15, 2013. Known by multitudes as "Mama Hazel," she was born in 1920 in Hazlehurst, Mississippi. She entered MSCW at age 16, and graduated as the class valedictorian at age 19. She moved to Canton, where she found her first job as a home economics teacher and met the love of her life, Dr. John Blanch Howell, Jr.
They married in her family's sunken garden in June of 1941 and the fate of the next few years was determined by WW II. Dr. Howell served as a physician major in the U.S. Army. After the war, they returned to Canton, where he continued to practice family medicine. Hazel was active as a homemaker, scout leader, speech coach, swim teacher and mother of five children. She was an avid gardener and an authority on the history of medicinal plants.
After Dr. Howell died suddenly in 1974, Mama Hazel returned to graduate school and earned a master's degree in family counseling from MSU. She then worked as a counselor in the Canton public schools, and served as publications editor of Phi Theta Kappa.
Hazel's love for her community was exemplified by her sixty-plus years as a Girl Scout volunteer helping girls live the slogan, "do a good turn daily." She supervised and sponsored several Girl Scout troops using scouting as a way to bridge racial gaps in Madison County.
The community has recognized Hazel's work naming her "Chamber of Commerce Woman of the Year," Mississippi's Mother of the Year in 1974. She received the very first Girl Scout "Thanks Award." President Reagan presented her with the Lifetime award for her work with youth. She received the Beautiful Activist of Mississippi Award and served for a decade on the Mississippi ETV Board of Directors. In 1998, Canton celebrated, "Hazel Howell Day," where Canton Elementary School staff honored her by naming a wing of the school after her. On the same day she was honored at Allison's Wells Arts and Crafts School for her contributions to that organization.
At age 60, she began to weave fabric, and learned new skills with determination, creativity and a sense of adventure. She made baskets from grapevines, gourds, pine straw and deer antlers and until age 90, she continued to lead "hands-on" weaving workshops for middle school children to promote the skills of spinning and weaving in other cultures. She achieved juried status to the Mississippi Craft Guild, and served as a volunteer, mentor, and friend to the weaving community in Mississippi.
Her yard reflected her generous love and care of creation. She knew the value of good rich soil enhanced by the "fine" gin-waste of Madison County as she fed and called by name her precious 125 varieties of daylilies.
She was a natural mother, who encouraged people of all ages to grow. One neighbor, in her 70's said, "Mama Hazel is still raising me!" In Hazel's words, "All I've tried to do during my life is to be a warm and happy security blanket in the night." The affection she showed to many was reciprocated by anyone who knew her.
Her husband John B. Howell, Jr., her parents, Aaron Monroe Martin and Edna Crawford Martin, and her daughter Marti Howell Speights, predeceased her. Her four children and their spouses, thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren survive her. Her children are: Dr. John B. Howell III (Stacey) of Fairhope, Alabama, Dr. Monroe M. Howell (Ann) of Thibodaux, Margaret Frothingham (Rich) of Durham, NC, Kat Griffith (Wesley) of Mentone, Alabama. Her grandchildren include: Marianne Royals Wynn (Billy), Jeanne Howell Spedale (Gerry), Monroe Martin Howell II (Tracy), John B. Howell IV (Dena), James B. Howell, Tripp Griffith (Katie), Quincey G. Rhoades (Blake), Collie Griffith, Chloe Griffith, Rick Frothingham, Cameron F. Kruis (Neal), Sunny Frothingham. Great grandchildren are: Michael, Janie and Claire Spedale, Emmaline and Ara Frances Rhoades, and Wesley Griffith IV, John Brian and Sienna Howell.
Visitation was at Breeland Funeral Home, Sunday 5 to 7 P.M., and 3 P.M. Monday at FUMC of Canton. Funeral Service will follow at 4 P.M. with grave side service immediately after. Donations in Mama Hazel's memory may be made to FUMC of Canton, Girl Scouts of MS, or the American Cancer Society.
The Clarion Ledger
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MAMA HAZEL
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Father Aaron Monroe Martin
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