Adalade Smith was born July 20, 1865 in Thomaston, Upson County, Georgia, the daughter Anthony Garnett Smith, Jr. and Elizabeth M. Smith of Upson and Talbot counties, Georgia. On December 24, 1890, she married Joshua Calhoun Howell in Upson County, Georgia. They later came by train to Hill County, Texas. On April 17, 1892, they joined the Methodist Church at West, McLennan County, Texas.

She had her daily cups of coffee from a cup from her parents' wedding china. This cup was later given to her daughter, Elizabeth "Bessie" Howell Beck of Waco, Texas. Addie Smith Howell was well-known for her beautiful handwork and gardening.

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This is an obituary for Adalade "Addie" Smith Howell from The West News (West, McLennan County, Texas) on April 27, 1951, p. 1.

"Mrs. Addie Howell
Dies at Waco.

Mrs. Addie Howell, a resident
of West for more than 50 years,
died at 9:20 a.m. last Friday at
her home, 1230 N. 15th St., Waco.
Funeral services were held at
the First Methodist Church in
Waco April 21. Rev. Roy L. Craw-
ford officiated, assisted by Rev.
John Glaze. Burial was in Bell
Springs cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Dow-
man Adams, Raymond Ray,
Allan Busby, Clyde Bennett, T. W.
Tucker and C. L. Harris.
Survivors include three dau-
ghters, Mrs. Roy E. Beck of Waco,
Mrs. L. D. Smith of Birome,
and Mrs. Shirley T. Christian of
West; one son, Robert Howell of
Gatesville; one sister in Georgia;
14 grandchildren and 11 great
grandchildren.
Mrs. Howell was born in Upton [Upson]
County, Georgia. She moved to
Texas soon after her marriage
in 1884 [1890], and lived in West more
than 50 years before moving to
Waco two years ago. She was a
member of the Methodist Church
of West more than 50 years."

The following article appeared in The West News during November 1990 in the Centennial Edition (1890-1990). The article has a photograph of Addie Smith Howell and her home which was located at 301 W. Columbus Street in West, McLennan, TX. The article was written/submitted by Eleanor Smith Christian, a descendant.


"Joshua Howell early settler to West

Joshua Calhoun Howell was one of West's early settlers, born June 12, 1862 in Upson County, Georgia. He married Addie Smith, who was born July 20, 1865 in Talbot County, Georgia, on December 24, 1890. Addie was the [grand]daughter of Rev. and Mrs. [Anthony] Garnett Smith. He was the pastor of the Methodist Church in Crawford County, Georgia.

The young couple left for Texas soon after they were married. On arrival they purchased a farm about four and one half miles north of West near Denton Hill in Hill County. He served as schoolmaster at Gholson School, but had to give up teaching as farming took too much of his time so he resigned.

Parents of five children, Elizabeth "Bessie", Mamie Ross, Robert Calhoun, Jewell, and Winnie Davis Howell.

Addie Howell always had her daily cup of coffee from a china cup which was part of her wedding china that her parents gave her as a wedding present. [Actually this china cup was a part of her parents' wedding china.] Granddaughter Hester Mae Beck Willis is the proud owner of this cup.

During the winter of 1898, the youngest child Winnie Davis, called "Little Cutie" died on October 4 and was buried at Bell Springs Cemetery. On January 4, 1901, Joshua Calhoun died of cancer at age 39. After 11 years of marriage Addie Howell was left with four young children to raise, far from her family.

Jim Howell of Hillsboro, Texas, her husband's brother, helped the family out as much as he could. He moved the family to Spring Town [String Town], south of West on Old Dallas Highway.

She took in sewing to make a living for her family, the children had to walk to the only school in West which was at 209 Harrison Street.

Addie Howell was known in West for her beautiful handiwork, her quilts and lovely crochet work which is enjoyed by her descendants. She make wool booties that she knitted on four steel needles in white, pink, and blue for the babies in West.

Joshua Calhoun and Addie Howell joined the Methodist Episcopal Church in West on April 17, 1892. All the children joined this church too.

Her brother Wesley Asbury Smith, who was a doctor at Santa Fe Hospital at Marlin, Texas visited her often. Only time she went home was in 1895 when Addie and Joshua visited their families on Christmas. The only time she returned to the place where was born.

Over the years her life began to get better. She purchased a new home at 301 W. Columbus, where the West Post Office stands now.

She worked very hard to make her home as she wanted it to be. She planted shrubs, rose bushes, and planted all kinds of flowers. She mowed the yard weekly and kept everything in perfect condition. Her yard was so beautiful people came by often to see the yard. The back yard had a picket and was covered with a running rose she brought to Texas with her. In the spring, the fence was covered with the roses.

Joshua Calhoun and Addie Howell and Winnie Davis Howell are buried at Bell Springs Cemetery near Bynum, Texas in Hill County.

Her son, Robert Calhoun, served in the U. S. Navy, during W.W.I. He loved baseball and played in the Texas League and on West Sluggers Baseball Team. He worked for Ray Motor Company for many years.

Addie Howell died in Waco, Texas on April 20, 1951. Many of her descendants loved gardening, sewing, and all kinds of handiwork. She was a very strong and lovable person who taught each one something worth while."