Monica Q. Howell

Monica Quintanilla Howell, age 95, of Mercedes, TX passed away peacefully to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on August 4, 2023. She was born on May 4, 1928 in Mercedes to Felix G. and Hilaria Quintanilla. She was a 1945 graduate of Mercedes High School and successfully completed two years of post-secondary education at Durham Business College in Harlingen, TX. Monica married Henry J. Howell, also of Mercedes on June 1, 1948 and they celebrated 55 years of marriage before his death in February 2003.

She is also preceded in death by her parents; Sisters: Maclovia Reyna, Catarina Garcia, Teresa Caballero; Brothers: Hilario Quintanilla, Felix V. Quintanilla, and Santiago (Jimmy) Quintanilla.

A devoted mother, Monica is survived by her two sons Henry J. Howell, Jr. (Rosie), David L. Howell (Mildred), and daughter Debbie Howell Fernandez; four sisters: Juanita Reyes, Maria Elena Quintanilla, Alma Quintanilla, & Imelda Quintanilla and brother: Romel Quintanilla. She was a proud grandmother to Erika Faubion, Henry J. Howell, III, Kevin Howell, Monica Trevino & Jennifer Howell; a great-grandmother of 10 and an aunt to many nephews and nieces. All of whom she loved and inspired deeply.

Monica served in the federal government spanning a 31-year career that started with the US Airforce Base (Harlingen, TX), the United States Department of Agriculture (Moore Airfield -Mission, TX) and finally with the USDA Regional Office (Minneapolis, Minnesota) where she ultimately retired in May, 1983 before returning to Mercedes. She was also a Notary Public for her community.

After her retirement, she focused her time and energy to her family, her service to Christ at the First Baptist Churches in Mercedes and Weslaco, TX, volunteering with the Mercedes American Legion & a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. She loved spending time outdoors tending to her yard, plants and numerous pets. Monica also enjoyed socializing with her family & friends, traveling, sewing, cooking, doing word puzzles, and watching the Dallas Cowboys & CNN.

Please join us celebrating Monica’s life with visitations on Friday, August 11, 2023 from 2:00 PM to 8:00 PM and a funeral service on Saturday, August 12, 2023 at 10:00 AM - all to be held at Funeraria del Angel - Highland Funeral Home, 6705 FM88, Weslaco, TX. Monica will be laid to rest at Highland Memorial Park immediately following the service at 11:00 AM.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Henry J. Howell, III, Kevin Howell, Julio Trevino; great grandsons: Erik Faubion, Noel Faubion, and William Faubion. Honorary pallbearers will be her granddaughters: Erika Faubion, Monica Trevino, and Jennifer Howell and her 7 remaining great grandchildren.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to Maggie Trevino who spent several years lovingly keeping Monica company and most recently to Diana Manzano who was devoted to Monica’s wellbeing for the last 15 months of her life. The family would also like to recognize the staff at Mid Valley Nursing & Rehab (Mercedes) and Gentiva Hospice (Harlingen) for their professional dedication to Monica’s care.