Hommie Lee Howard was born to Sammie and Mergie (Lewis) Simmons on July 14th, 1932, in Farmerville Louisiana. She was the eldest of two children of their union and was affectionately known as “Grandma, Granny, Grammy Poo” to her family and close friends. She accepted Christ at an early age and was baptized at the Woodlawn Community Baptist Church that just recently celebrated its 143rd Anniversary. In 1951, after graduating from Union Parish Training High School in Louisiana, Hommie relocated to Seattle.
She united with New Hope Missionary Baptist Church under the pastorage of Reverend Dr. C.E. Williams until his passing. She continued to serve, welcoming a new pastor, Reverend Dr. Robert L. Jeffrey, Sr. in 1986, where she remained until her passing.
In 1953, during the earlier part of her life, she received a Nursing certificate from Seattle University and worked as a Registered Nurse as well as a Machinist for Boeing until 1957. Hommie began her love story and united in holy matrimony with John W. Howard in 1957, they raised four children.
Her giving spirit captured the very essence of who she was as a person. Hommie had a giving heart and faithfully demonstrated it at every chance. She never turned anyone away. If you had an idea – everybody ran it by Mom Howard, if you wanted to know anything about current affairs, you asked Grammie, don’t you dare say anything bad about Barack Obama, LOL she’d get riled up over politics and when that happened – “You didn’t want none!” and “yes” if you needed to borrow money, she was always on deck! Her door was always open! Hommie had a love for gardening, cooking, shopping, and above all, family time and gatherings – she loved her family. Her favorite past- times included word search puzzles (we’d pick a word and race to see who could find it first!) and trips to the casino (luckiest lady we knew!). A fun fact: Hommie was the same age as Alaska Airlines! Some of the biggest highlights in her life, were sticking her toes in the sand on the beach in Puerto Rico at 83 years of age, another being blessed to see her grandchildren become parents. The memories, we’ll cherish FOREVER.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Sammie and Mergie (Lewis) Simmons, husband, John W. Howard, her son, Gary Howard and her brother, Larthyett Simmons.
Hommie leaves behind a legacy of love to her children: Ronald Howard (Iraida), (Bonney Lake Wa.), Derrick Howard (Cheryl), (Seattle Wa.), Althea Coleman, (Seattle Wa.), and Tiffany Howard, (Seattle Wa.). Thirteen grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and three great-great grandchildren. A multiplicity of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
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