Barbara Jean Howard

Barbara Jean Armstrong Howard (or Dot, as she was known by her family and Houston friends) was born in Houston, Texas to Roy Armstrong and Ruby Lee Autrey Armstrong on September 21, 1955. Barbara attended school in the Houston ISD, where she attended Whidby Elementary, Cullen Middle School, and graduated from the historic Jack Yates High School. She accepted Christ at an early age and united with Progressive Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. G. W. Williams. Barbara was active in the youth department and sang in the youth choir.

Barbara always loved doing things that challenged her. She was an awesome seamstress and she loved doing things with her hands. Most of all, Barbara was an immaculate housekeeper. As a child, she was known to put the rest of her siblings out of the house so she could clean while her parents were at work. Barbara was a stickler for obeying the rules. If the rules said don’t do it, Barbara was not going to do it. She loved caring for children, the elderly, and the sick. As a young teenager she made extra money by babysitting children in the neighborhood.

Barbara truly loved her family. One thing she jokingly never forgave her husband for was taking her away from her family in Houston. She often reminded him that as much as she loved her family, she left them to move to north Texas to be with him. But she never had any problem going to Houston to check on her family if they were sick or needed her.

After high school, Barbara chose to continue her education at Prairie View A&M University where she earned a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree. Throughout her time at Prairie View, Barbara worked part-time in the chemistry lab as a Lab Technician. Also, while at Prairie View, Barbara met the love of her life, her husband, Rickey L. Howard. After completing her freshman year as a nursing major, Barbara chose to change her major to architecture.

After college, on August 30, 1980, Barbara married her college sweetheart, Rickey and moved to Fort Worth, Texas. Barbara worked for LTV Aerospace & Defense in Dallas, Texas as a design engineer for two years before working as a teacher in the Fort Worth ISD. After having children, Barbara chose to become a full-time housewife. She later worked part-time as an adjunct instructor at Tarrant County College teaching Basic Cad and Technical Drafting.

Barbara was an awesome housewife. Her house was always spotless and she absolutely loved keeping it that way. Barbara was a wonderful, loving mother and just like her house, she always wanted her children clean. She taught her sons to love the Lord and to be the very best they could be. She would always say, "With faith you can do anything!"

After moving to Fort Worth, Barbara united with Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church where her husband was a member. She sang in the young adult choir, served as an usher, and as a deaconess. Barbara and her husband later moved their membership to New Rising Star Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Rev. Isadore Edwards, Jr. She has always been active in her church serving as an usher, serving with the deaconesses, active in her Church School class, Wednesday night Bible Study, working with the youth, and teaching the primary class in church school. Ushering was where Barbara truly shined. She sincerely loved being a doorkeeper in the house of the Lord.

Barbara and her husband were blessed to be married for almost 43 years. They were also blessed with two sons: Rickey Leroy Howard II and Stephen Joseph Howard. Unfortunately, Barbara and Rickey also had two miscarriages during their marriage. Barbara always said she wanted her babies mentioned at her funeral. Barbara is now with her babies in Heaven.

Barbara leaves to cherish her memories: her husband Rickey L. Howard of Mansfield, TX; two sons: Rickey L. Howard II of Houston, TX and Stephen J. Howard of Mansfield, TX; a nephew she and her husband partially raised Larry W. Davis, Jr. of Euless, TX; her mother Ruby Lee Armstrong of Houston, TX; one brother Edward (Eddie) Armstrong of Houston, TX; three sisters: Linda Davis of Houston, TX; Judy Bailey of Sugarland, TX; and Joyce Hill of Pearland, TX; eight nephews; two nieces, one uncle, one aunt, a host of great nieces, great nephews and a host of relatives and friends. Barbara was preceded in death by her father Roy Armstrong, four brothers: James Davis, Sr., Larry W. Davis, Sr., Robert Lee Armstrong, Sr., and Carl Anthony Armstrong; and a nephew Robert Lee Armstrong, Jr.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.gwspencerdirs.net for the Howard family.