Linda Howell

Linda Kay Howell, 68, of Hillsboro passed peacefully in her sleep in the early morning of March 3, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. With her were her husband of 42 years, Andy Howell, her son David Howell, her daughter Jessica Brown, son-in-law, David Brown and grandson Alan Brown. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 AM, Tuesday, March 6, 2018 at Hillsboro Church of Christ in Hillsboro with Mr. Glen MacDonald officiating. Burial will follow at 2:00 PM at the Granbury Cemetery in Granbury. A visitation will be held from 5:00 - 7:00 PM on Monday evening at Marshall and Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro.

Linda was born on August 10, 1949 in Kennett, Missouri to Alton and Mary Sue (Pirtle) Wiles and grew up in Springfield Missouri. After graduating from Glendale High School Linda attended Southwest Missouri State University majoring in English. After graduation she taught English in Nevada, Missouri before moving to Dallas, Texas where she taught Jr. High and High School English in Melissa, Texas. She attended Walnut Hill Church of Christ where met her future husband. On June 14, 1975, she married Andy Howell in Springfield, Missouri and they were married 42 years, 8 months and 17 days until her death.

Linda was the epitome of grace and selflessness, always thinking of others first and caring for their needs. The depth of her generosity knew no limits and anyone who knew her would always remark on her sweet nature. Her gentle, attentive manner inspired kindness in others. She was the kind of person who always made your day better. And if you were lucky enough to truly know her, she was the person who made your life better. The enormous love Linda gave to those she knew will have a lasting impact on this world. Linda was truly a lover of life and had such admiration and curiosity for the world and the different kinds of people and experiences in it.

Linda loved music, the arts, good Mexican food, late night soul searching conversations, history and classic romance movies. But the absolute key to her heart was an epic road trip. Driving across the country in the middle of the night was when Linda was at her happiest. She would always say that all she needed to get through a long drive was good music and bad coffee. Add a full moon and she was in her element. Add a family member or close friend in the passenger seat and she was giddy. She enjoyed countless trips with her family. Driving her minivan all over the country, stopping at historical spots, camera in hand, camping out of the back–those were some of Linda’s most treasured memories. When she got back from a trip, she would always take the entire next day to herself, replaying the events back again so she could commit it to memory. And commit it to memory she certainly did. She was the resident expert of family history, dates, and events. Nothing slipped past her. She loved the details, thrived off of them. We will forever find her there, in the details, because she’s always been there.

Linda loved her family with her entire self. Her children and her grandson were the lights of her life and fueled her. She was the heart of our family, and it will continue to beat because of her.

Linda faced her battle with cancer the way she faced life–with dignity, bravery, humility and grace. She inspired her family daily with her strong will, pure class and strength. Not a day will go by where we won’t miss her.

She was preceded in death by her father, Alton C. Wiles.

Survivors include her mother, Mary Sue Wiles of Columbia, Missouri; husband of 42 years, Andy Howell of Hillsboro; son, David Howell of Waxahachie; daughter, Jessica Brown and husband, David of Dallas; and grandson, Alan Brown of Dallas; brother, Alan Wiles and wife, Jackie, of Siloam Springs, Arkansas; and her sisters, Melissa Rogers and husband, Tom, of Roanoke, Virginia and Stephanie Wells and husband, Bill, of Fulton, Missouri; as well as many cousins, nephews and nieces.

Memorials may be made in her honor to the Cancer Research Institute, 29 Broadway, 4th Floor, New York, New York, 10006.

Funeral Service

10:00 AM ,Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Hillsboro Church of Christ
109 Crestridge Drive Hillsboro, Texas 76645

Viewing and Visitation

5:00 PM - 7:00 PM ,Monday, March 5, 2018
Marshall & Marshall Funeral Directors in Hillsboro
2495 Corsicana Highway Hillsboro, TX 76645

Burial

2:00 PM ,Tuesday, March 6, 2018
Granbury Cemetery
North Houston Street Granbury , TX