This is in memory of my mommy Laura Howard.
Laura Howard was born August 10, 1909 to Gittaw and Luly Howard. She had 3 sisters Nora, Amanda (Birdie)
and Flora (who I'm named after). She had 4 brothers Lee, Walter (Peanut), Jess and George.
Mommy married Berry Howard. Together they had 12 children; Daisy, Flossie, Geneva, dorcey
(Kiser Bill), Beatrice, Marie, Cluster, Hoya, George, Flora, Benton, and Galen.
I remember when I was a small child my mommy would send Benton, Galen, and me out to pick blackberries. When
we would return home and get to the yard gate we could hear our mommy praying. We would always stay at the gate until
she was finished.
We lived on Southfork in Jackson,
Kentucky. Everywhere my mommy went Benton, Galen and I went with her. If she went to feed the hog or milk
the cow, we went with her. She would go into town (Jackson) once a month to buy the food she needed. We always
got to tag along.
When the older children were coming to visit my mommy would cooked all day and then walked the porch
back and forth until they arrived safely.
Mommy was a good woman. Everyone she knew loved her.
I remember mommy canning food in the summer and giving it to some lady up the holler who had
6 little girls. My mommy would say the only thing she wanted was her jars back so she cold can in them the next year.
I don't remember mommy ever sitting at the table and eating with us. She always wanted her children
to have the best and she would eat whatever was left.
Mommy never got to live to see all her children grown. She died on November 3, 1959.
She was baking gingerbread for supper and went out to get some wood for the stove. Before she could get through
the front door she had a heart attack and died in about 15 minutes. Us little kids were out with daddy and mommy
was home alone. I often wonder what would have happened if I had been there. Could I have gotten her some help?
Would she be able to hear me tell her that I love her and would never forget her? Death doesn't wait for us to make
promises or tell loved ones things they need to hear. If I learned anything from this, it's that we need to keep family
close and always tell them we love them.
Mommy's life was her children. She would be so proud of her children and grandchildren right
now. I hope that I've given my children and grandchildren the kind of love mommy always gave us; unconditional and unwavering.
This wonderful woman died much too soon.
I am dedicating this to all her grandchildren, especially Loredith Howard.
I miss you mommy!
Love, Flora Belle
