Lillie Mae Jones Howard was an amazing, witty selfless, supportive, insightful, intelligent, talented, and humorous lady. Her house was a beacon of love and pillar of strength where everyone was welcomed. Just one encounter with Lillie Mae made you feel like you were her favorite. She was a very special person who had unique ways of showing her love and care for others. Lillie Mae especially made each grand, great-grand, and great-great grandchild feel like he or she was the favorite.

She was born December 7, 1929, in Holmes County to Fred Moses and Velma Collier Ross. She received her early education at the Richland School. Lillie Mae accepted Christ to be her savior at an early age joining the Goodman Missionary Baptist Church in Goodman, MS where she remained a faithful member and dedicated usher for several years, including serving as president of usher board until her health began to fail. In her spare time, Lillie Mae enjoyed reading, fishing, sewing, quilting, and solving puzzles. As a homemaker and devoted caregiver, Lillie Mae raised and cared for a host of children including grand, great grands, nieces, nephews, family members, and neighbors.

She was united in Holy Matrimony to Robert "Cooper" Howard, Sr. on September 19, 1959. Together they reared eighteen children. On Thursday, July 28, 2022, God saw fit to call his servant, Lillie Mae, home to her peaceful resting place. She was preceded in death by her first husband Benny Will Leflore; her parents; her spouse, Robert Cooper Howard, Sr.; adopted parents, Julius & Lillie C. Winston; a father-figure, Josh Wright; two brothers, John Wesley Brooks and Julius Winston; three sisters, Ella Wee Redd, Bessie Mae Wright, and Dorothy Perteet; one daughter, Janie Schuler, and four sons, Shed Winston, Josh Howard, Sr., John Leflore, Sr. and Otha Horton; two sons-in-law: Isaac Harris and Irish Day; two daughters-in-law; Geraldine Howard and Mattie Howard; four grandsons Daryl Schuler, Shawn Schuler, John Leflore, Jr., and Robert Thomas, Jr.; one grand-daughter, Roshandra Lyles; three great grand-daughters: Angelica Renee Keith, Makayla Winston, Keisha Winston; and two great grandsons: Tyrese Vaughan and Raylen Hampton.

Loving her in death as they did in life and left to cherish her memories include, one sister Audrey Higgins, Hammond, IN: thirteen children, Maggie (Jeff) Polk, Kenner LA, Charles Leflore, Detroit, MI, Fred Winston, Greenwood, MS, Endia Harris, Springfield, MA, Redessa (Robert) Scott, Michael (Jackie) Howard, Cebrena Fay Catchings, and Geronimo Howard all of Goodman, MS, one son-in-law, Lewis Schuler, Detroit, MI and one daughter-in-law, Azzie Lee Winston, Goodman, MS; a special bonus daughter, Bertha Jones, Davenport, IA; and Lillie Mae's and Cooper's Last baby, Denia (Ryan) Bates, Goodman, MS.

Grandma's favorites: Dewayne Schuler, Andre Schuler, Derrick Leflore, Charles Leflore, Jr., Melanie Leflore, Stephanie Leflore, Yvette Winston Brown, Shed Winston, Jr., Isaac Harris III, Endia Harris, Sahaladin Harris, Aaliyah Harris, Hafeeza Harris, Shaheed Harris, Dexter Howard, Sr. Tamara Parker, Otha Horton, Jr., Staci Horton, Cedric Horton, Latisha Davis, De'Miya Riley, Romarcus Thomas, Roderick Thomas, Irish Day, III, Kenny Day, Randall Smith, Angel Meeks, Shantel Vaughan, Josh Howard, Jr., Yolanda Roberts, Natasha Boyd, Rodney Howard, Robyne Scott, Roneda Lowe, Robert Scott, Jr., Yolanda Howard, Kelsey Landfair, Ashley Howard, Monchel Howard, India Howard, John Haynes, Jr., Kendrick Howard, Renada Bates, Derrick Bates, Diandra Bates, Jeremy Bates, Mellody Howard-Keith, Vincent Butler, Jr., Rodesia Butler, Anthony Morgan, Marino Howard, Faith Howard, and Bryan Howard. Also left to cherish her memories is a host of great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

PLACE OF SERVICE: Goodman Baptist, Goodman, MS

DATE OF SERVICE: Saturday 08/06/2022 at 11:00 a.m.

INTERMENT: Hillcrest Cemetery, Goodman, MS

VIEWING: Friday 08/05/2022 at 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.