Lona Dean Shields Howard finished her earthly life on March 17, 2022. She was born December 26, 1937, in Byers, Texas to T.J. “Johnse” Shields and Mildred Gainus Shields. The family moved to Phillips, Texas when she was 5 years old, and she finished her schooling there, graduating in 1956. She loved her church, school, and many friends.
Lona attended Southern Methodist University and Methodist Nursing School, graduating as a Licensed Vocational Nurse. It was during this time that she met her future husband, C.V. (Claude Vernon) Howard. They were married February 16, 1960, in Fort Worth by her brother, James Shields.
While C.V. was in the Navy, the family lived in Dallas, New York, California Tennessee, making special friends along the way. Lona was active in church and nursing everywhere they lived, and upon retirement in 1976, they moved to Brownwood.
Lona was a faithful member of Calvary Baptist Church from that point on, teaching Sunday School and serving on various committees, but her greatest love was visiting shut-ins who no longer were able to attend services. She continued this for as long as she was able.
She worked at Brownwood Regional Medical Center (Hendrick) the Mental Health Center, and was active in setting up and running the Day Hospital Program, Respite Care and the Crisis Unit. She also worked with the Psychiatrist providing med clinics in Brown and surrounding counties.
Lona retired from nursing in 1996, and absolutely loved staying home. She was able to spend more time with C.V. until his death in 2003. She loved her kids, grandkids, cooking, yard work, cruises with old classmates from Phillips, Thanksgiving with the Shields clan, reading, music, her Sunday School class and talking on the phone with dear friends.
Lona loved life in all its aspects, both mundane and extraordinary. She had a strange sense of humor (her words!) and could be amused by small events which would set her laughing in delight. Anyone who knew Lona can testify to her sunny disposition and love of life. Spending just a few minutes in her company was joyful and uplifting.
She is survived by her three children: Donna Howard of Brownwood, Tammy (David) Partain of Arlington and Kevin (Brenda) Howard of Brownwood, 4 grandchildren: Johnse (Helen) Howard, Derek (Daniela) Partain, Taylor (Daniel) Chamberlain and Sarah Howard, 6 great grandchildren: Hannah, Walker, Weston, Audrey, Vivienne and Daniel, a sister-in-law, JoBeth Shields, and special nieces and nephews of her beloved Shields family.
She was preceded in death by her parents, spouse C.V. Howard, brothers Bob Shields and James Shields, and sister-in-law Corrine Shields.
Her family will host a visitation from 6:00 to 8:00 pm Monday, March 21st at Heartland Funeral Home. Funeral Service will be 11:00 am Tuesday, March 22nd at Calvary Baptist Church under the direction of Heartland Funeral Home. Interment will be at DFW National Cemetery in Arlington next to her husband.
Online condolences, memories and tributes can be made to the family at www.heartlandfuneralhome.net.
