Flora Howard

Flora May (Brewer) Howard passed away on Tuesday, September 10, 2013. Flora May was born May3, 1915 in Chicago, IL to Flo Della (Marshall) and J. Will Brewer, but grew up in Kansas City with her mother and three surviving brothers. She grew tall and very athletic, running track at East High School, but excelling at all sports. In mid-life and later in her life her athleticism made her a top-notch bowler and she continued for many years even as late as age 90, bowling in 2 leagues, until crippled by arthritis before age 92. She often bowled 250’s and at times as high as 265. She bowled in city competitions and taught teens for many years at her home ground, Strike ‘n Spare Lanes, in Independence, MO. She also had art talent of her own and in high school won poster design and other school art contests. This talent helped her, along with a great sewing ability, to design and make clothes from scratch, create dolls by the hundreds, some even life-sized soft-sculptures. She conceived and made many other sewing crafts along with her dolls and placed many on consignment in Independence shops, as well as taking booths in the annual SantaCaliGon festival for several years.

During the depression, in 1933, she met her future husband Charles E. Howard at a dance and in the following years, after marriage, they loved nothing better than a Saturday dance at the Pla-Mor Ballroom. They were married in 1934 and in December of 1936, their first child, John David, was born. Shortly after, in 1939, daughter, Joan Carol was born. In 1942, Flora and Chuck bought 5 acres with an old farmhouse on a wooded hilltop in the inter-city district. Shortly after, in 1945, son, Charles Michael was born. During the next 6 years, Flora and family acquired a pony, gardened and built a house on part of the 5 acres, mostly with their own hands, moving in about 1949. While raising a family, Flora May also drove a Rock Creek district school bus for 10 years. In her later years, she continued to sew for her family and friends, never refusing anyone. She also worked at the Bingham-Waggoner estate, and solved 2 crossword puzzles every day. Her monthly bingo group was great enjoyment for her, as well.

Flora May was preceded in death by husband, Charles E. Howard in 1975, and son, Charles M. Howard in 2005. She is survived by her son, David Howard of Kansas City, MO; daughter, Joan Davis of Encinitas, CA; daughter-in-law, Jackie Jewell of Independence, MO; six grandchildren, Richard, Pam and Aaron Davis of Encinitas, CA area and Kerri Howard Harness of Huntsville, AL; Larry Kenneth McKee of Sedalia, MO; Sharee McKee Davis of Independence, MO; and ten great grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 9:00-10:00 a.m. Monday, September 16, 2013 at Carson-Speaks Chapel; 1501 W. Lexington Ave. Independence, MO 64052. Funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Longview Cemetery.