STATESBORO - Mrs. Cecile Brannen Howard, age 94, died Monday, February 16, 2009 in the Ogeechee Area Hospice Inpatient Facility. She was born December 3, 1914 in Statesboro, Georgia. She was preceded in death by her husband of 36 years, Claude Arthur Howard, of Statesboro, Georgia and two sisters, Dorothy Brannen and Lucy Brannen (Robert) Donaldson of Statesboro. She was a descendant of a pioneer Bulloch County family. Her mother was Allie Olliff Brannen and her father was Cecil Williams Brannen. Her grandfather, J. A. Brannen, was the first mayor of Statesboro, one of the founders of the Statesboro Telephone Company and its first president, and he was involved in much of the development of Statesboro and Bulloch County. She attended the University of Georgia, where she was a charter member of the Kappa Delta Sorority. She received her degree from Georgia Teachers College, now Georgia Southern University. She taught 3rd grade at the Westside School in Bulloch County. Bridge playing, her beautiful yard and roses and flower arranging were three of her passions. She was a charter member of the Statesboro Garden Club, she helped start and was the last surviving original member of the Thursday Mystery Bridge Club, which has existed for over sixty years. When she was younger and more able you would see her out planting flowers in the yard in the spring and summer. She was also known for her beautiful roses which she shared with others. She won many tri-color and blue ribbons for her flower arrangements. She was a charter member of Pittman Park United Methodist Church, where she was actively involved. Surviving are her sons Claude Arthur Howard Jr. and wife, Carol Huggins, and Cecil Brannen Howard of Statesboro, Georgia, two grandsons, Claude Arthur Howard III and his wife, Kathy Jones, and William Cecil Howard and his wife, Andrea Lewis, five great grandchildren Kathryn Cecile Howard, Claude Arthur Howard IV, William Cecil Howard, Jr., Kendall Brannen Howard, and Ashton Bennett Howard, all of Statesboro, one niece, Dottie Donaldson Garvin (Walter), and one nephew, Bobby Donaldson (Nancy) of Columbus, Ga., two sister-in-laws Jean Foss (Jerry) Howard of Statesboro and Nina Howard Hamm of Savannah, Ga. Nieces and nephews Carol Howard Turknett of Statesboro, David Wayne Howard of Savannah, Jim Auld of Hilton Head S.C., Harry Hamm of Valdosta, Charles Howard, Richard Howard, Wayne Howard of Statesboro, Ricky Basemore of Sylvania, Ralph Howard of Register, Philip Howard of Statesboro, Susan Howard of Atlanta, Dorothy Walker of South Carolina. Sue Warren of Pulaski. Also surviving are her loving and devoted caregivers, Margarette Brannen, Betty Cook, Lillian Cone and Wyomia K, Timmons. Margarette was her special friend and companion. They toured the streets of Statesboro and roads of Bulloch County together with 'Ms' Cecile giving her history of Bulloch County as they went their way , these last five years. Visitation will be Tuesday from 5:00pm until 6:00pm at Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. The funeral service for Mrs. Howard will be held on Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Pittman Park United Methodist with the Rev. Bill Brown officiating, assisted by the Rev. Mike Huling. Interment will be in the Eastside Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Claude Howard, Bill Howard, Ed Ellis, Holmes Ramsey, Joe Hines, and Jody Stubbs. Memorials contributions may be made to Pittman Park United Methodist Church Alter Guild, 1102 Fair Road, Statesboro, Ga. 30458 or Ogeechee Area Hospice, P.O. Box 531, Statesboro, Ga. 30459. Friends may sign the online register book at www.JoinerAnderson.com . Joiner-Anderson Funeral Home. Savannah Morning News (SMN), Tuesday, February 17, 2009.