Birdia Howell

Church service for Birdia Howell, age 92, of Plainview, Texas, is scheduled for 2 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021 at Parkview Baptist Church in Littlefield with Rev. Ted Wilson of Plainview, officiating. Burial will be in Littlefield Memorial Park. Birdia passed peacefully from this life into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021.

Birdia was born Sept. 2, 1929 in Grandfield, Oklahoma to A. D. and Myrtle Bitner. She graduated from Victory High School in 1947. While attending Pleasant Mound Baptist Church during her junior year of high school, she caught the eye of a handsome sailor, Donnie Howell, who was home from the service. In April of her senior year, he placed an engagement ring on her left hand. They were united in marriage at the home of area missionary Alton Patton in Frederic, Oklahoma on Sept. 12, 1947 and were happily married for 73 years, until Donnie's death on Feb. 9, 2021. Donnie and Birdia were blessed with four children. Over the years, Donnie pastored several churches and was employed by the U.S. Postal Service for 35 years. As a pastor 's wife and homemaker, Birdia's faith in God and the example of Christ that she showed in her everyday life exemplified the Proverbs 31 woman. She was a tme role model to her family and those who knew her. Birdia was a wonderful cook and prepared three meals a day for her family until she and Donnie moved to Santa Fe Assisted Living in Plainview in 2019. She loved to can fresh vegetables and was happiest when her whole family gathered around her table for a meal. Birdia had a servant's heart. She was always active in her church and loved WMU (Women's Missionary Union). She had a special love for missions and shared that love as a GA leader. She also taught Sunday School and participated in many bible studies. She read her bible every day and read the bible through many times in her 92 years. When her children were all in school, Birdia decided to become an Activity Director for Knight's Nursing Home and found contentment in loving and reaching out to the elderly. She and Donnie also participated in many mission trips to Mexico-building churches and holding Vacation Bible Schools for the children. Summer vacations were a special time when she and Donnie would take a break and would pack up the family to go camping and fishing. Birdia loved being out in nature and delighted in watching birds. Those vacations were some of her most treasured memories. She also loved to play games like 42, Skip-Bo, especially when she was playing with her grand-daughters and their families.

Birdia was preceded in death by her husband Donnie Howell; sons Bill Howell and Gary Howell; and a brother Forrest Bitner Left to cherish her memory are a son, Jackie Howell of Lubbock; a daughter, Kathy and her husband, Max Ebeling of Plainview; a brother, Gene Bitner of Amarillo; five grand-daughters, Amy Howell of Hemet, California; Angee and husband, Andrew Calvert of Mililani, Hawaii; Julie and husband, Kris Bielefeldt ofBrigham City, Utah; Katie and husband, Jeremy Evans of Lubbock; Krista and husband, Nigel Torres of Lubbock; and nine great-grandchildren Ramsey, Layla, Keira, Marx, Maddox, Ethan, Avery, Natalie and Nathan.

The family suggests memorials be sent to Plains Baptist Assembly, 300 I Love Road, Floydada, Texas, 79235. Online condolences may be made at www.ellisfuneralhomes.com.