Lake Geraldine Howell

Obituary

Lake G. Steele Howell, daughter of the late Walter Wheil (adoptive) and Mavis Ben (Cardwell) Steele was born in McDowell County, Gary West Virginia on June 25, 1928.  She was second of sixteen siblings. Lake received her education in the State of West Virginia at Liberty High School after that she went on to attend Bluefield State University where she received her  Degree in Music and later in Nursing.  At an early age, she accepted Christ as her personal savior. Prior to her move to Ohio she married (Crawford)  and bore her first son Felnoy Crawford.  In 1955 love drew her to Cleveland where she met the love of her life Waldon S. Howell.  It was befitting and reflective of how thankful she was to have met Waldon that they were married Thanksgiving Day, November 27th 1958.  To this union two children were born Steve Howell, March 4, 1960 and Stephanie Howell February 6, 1965.  Lake devoted her life to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She supported them in whatever they chose to do.  She instilled in her children faith and wisdom; through her they learned how to love.  And while being the greatest Mother she knew how to be, it didn’t take away from the devoted and loving daughter that she was.  Instead of resulting to a nursing home, Lake took care of her mother Mavis Ben Steele in her home until she passed away in April, 1998. 

As an extension of raising her own children, she depicted the exact meaning of the term “GRAND... Mother”.  She went above and beyond for all of her grandchildren.  She taught them how to be respectful, encouraged them to be virtuous women and admirable men.  She loved them all unconditionally and bragged about them continuously.

Lake being a woman of compassion dedicated her career to Nursing at the State of Ohio Psychiatric Hospital.  She retired after 37 years of service in 1985.  Her love for the community and empathy for the mentally ill awarded her recognition from the City of Warrensville Mayor Raymond Graybow in a Proclamation naming October 24,1987 Lake Howell Day.  Lake who was a warrior for God, did not mind expressing her love and passion for Christ.  She was a faithful member of Lee Road Baptist Church since April 3, 2002 in Cleveland, Ohio until her move to North Carolina June 2, 2008 where she joined the Word Church ( Dorothy J. Cutler, Pastor).  She exemplified Christ in her beautiful voice her passion for people and her adoration of nature.  Her green thumb was one to envy.   Lake enjoyed playing the piano, singing with her two sisters Sheila and Dott, exotic animals, and she never met a stranger or ice cream cone she didn’t love.  One of Lake’s most cherished achievements was being a member of Eta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. where she received recognition of Longevity for 30 years of membership. 

Lake, being the funny quick witted fighter that she was, believed in family and the power of prayer! Lake departed this life on Friday, December 28, 2018. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends!

Lake G. Howell leaves to cherish her memory: Three amazing children: Felnoy (Micki) Crawford, Steve W. (Sylvia) Howell, and Stephanie Howell; Six loving grandchildren: Tekisha Ruffin, Ciera Howell, Breann Crawford, Camille Wilson Howell and Destin Howell. Four great-grandchildren Iyana Howell, Tory Williams, Aiden and Asa McDaniel; two beautiful sisters: Sheila (Joe) Dailey, and Dortula Rashid a host of other siblings, nieces, nephews, cousins,

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