Sheila Steele Howard

You may not know that my family moved from the East End about three weeks before our graduation and I commuted to Milby each day. At that time, I could get from the Memorial area to school in 20-25 minutes, no problem. I returned to the old home ground several times over the years, once to show my children where I had attended school. Will say, it has certainly changed.

I went to Texas Christian University in Ft. Worth, graduating with a degree in secondary education; that is after majoring in art for two years and then English/History. I met my husband-to-be, John Howard, at the TCU student center playing bridge. He finished TCU with a degree in business and then did a year’s ranch management course at TCU.

We married in July of 1965 and headed to Jacksonville, Texas to meet our fate. Eight months later, he was in the USAF and I was finishing my first year’s teaching contract. We spent a two year’s tour in Izmir, Turkey and then two years in Oklahoma City. I firmly believe that everyone should live in a foreign country for at least one year in order to see how truly fortunate we are.

Upon John’s discharge from the service, we moved to John’s home town of Paris, Texas. Since I had grown up in the construction industry, I had planned to avoid that life and its dependence upon the weather and long working hours. Well, John’s dad needed him in his business – you guessed it, construction! We stayed there three years, had our family (two girls, Sutton and Marrit), and got more experience in highway construction.

We moved to the FM 1960 area of Houston and John stayed in construction with my dad and I stayed at home to be a mom. I did quite a lot of volunteer work in the schools but never got back to full-time teaching. In 1982, our older daughter, Sutton, passed away from a brain tumor. The Lord helped carry that load. I eventually opened a florist service in our home. I did lots of homecomings, proms, and weddings.

In 1991, we decided that it would be a good time to leave the big city and head west. My husband had always dreamed of working on the land. In Brenham, I found a neat flower shop in a house built in 1911 and John found some land in Austin County that was just right for growing hay. So, for eight years, I did flowers and my husband grew excellent horse hay. Then I decided that I was getting too cranky to be out in public and it was time to stay home again.

I got my own cab-air tractor and learned how to run the hay rake. Two years later, I was given my own mower/conditioner so I could also cut hay. In 2001, we won the state hay show, Coastal Bermuda division. I do a little volunteer work and am the Republican precinct election judge.

Then, we became proud grandparents of Will, who lives in Austin with his mom. There is nothing better than a grandchild unless it would be several. Will is a joy!

In 2005, we started carrying another load with the Lord’s help. I was diagnosed with stage-four breast cancer. I made it through various treatments. Then, in 2006, the doctors found bladder cancer. They removed a kidney and followed up with chemo-therapy, which severely damaged my remaining kidney. So, we are plodding along, dealing with life’s ups and downs. My husband has been the best caregiver ever! We are a team.

We are still doing hay, just a little slower and more deliberately. In fact, we baled 1100 square bales last Tuesday and are doing more tomorrow. OK, Karla and Sonny, here is my life up to now. Really thought it would take more space. I am sure I left out a lot of trivia. I will try to find more pictures to send.

And I may tell the story of the cookies I made for Sonny when he was at Boy Scout camp.

Please take the time now to make a comment in response to Sheila's biography. You will also enjoy reading the comments that others have left.

Comments copied from Sheila's earlier, brief bio page:

Dearest Sheila,

You were always one of the classiest girls in school, not to mention your boundless beauty, unbridled wisdom, and killer wit. How much of that is required to farm hay? Anyway, I'm very pleased to know that, in spite of everything,....you managed to stay out of prison.

Your pal, Sonny Jones

Posted by: Clyde (Sonny) Jones | June 08, 2008 at 01:32 PM

Well Sonny, please add mysterious to my list of various attributes. Am still trying to compose a bio that will be interesting. As to what it takes to grow hay, it takes extreme patience and a sense of humor. Mother Nature has now dealt us some really dry, windy weather that is no better than too much rain. They don't build a prison that can hold me. How about you?

Your pal, Sheila

Posted by: Sheila Steele Howard | June 08, 2008 at 02:43 PM

I did ten years at Leavenworth when they finally caught me for castrating the Austin "Mustang".....it was a piece of cake!

Sonny

Posted by: Clyde (Sonny) Jones | June 09, 2008 at 01:04 PM

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Comments

[Larry Smith]

Sheila, Sheila, you have really been through the mill!! Most of us will never know what it is like to lose a young child. You are fortunate to have John, and we are fortunate to have you still with us.

After hearing about your farming experience, I am glad I didn't ask the question "does John let you drive the tractor?" One of the ladies in our church is our Rep. Precinct Election Judge, and I would not want to do that job.

Thanks, Sheila, for sharing a little of your life with us.

Larry

[Charles Simmons]

Hi Sheila,

I hope you remember me! I had the pleasure of sitting directly behind you in our homeroom at Milby. It was always uplifting for me to see your pretty face, warm smile and to see you turn around and say, "Hi Charles!" I've read your bio with interest. As a fellow sufferer, I can understand the pain you've been through and also the joy of being able to come out of it on the other side. I'm so happy to be alive. Thank you for sharing your story.

[Sheila Steele Howard]

Charles, of course I remember you. You had the greatest hair in our class...plenty of it and a great color. I think you may have also sat in front of me in algebra class in 10th grade.
Life is too long to be unhappy. It is so much better to find the joys where they are and concentrate on that. Enjoyed your talk. Keep up the communication. Sheila

[Sheila Steele Howard]

Larry, I appreciate your thoughts.
And yes, it's a good thing you saved your comment about anyone letting me drive the tractor. And I enjoy doing the precinct judge thing. I consider it a true community service to have a local polling place available for all. Now if I could just get everyone to go vote, my job would be done. Talk to you later. Sheila

[John Echoff]

Shelia, it is really great to hear about you, so glad you are doing well after being through so many trials and tribulations. You hang in there girl and don't let anyone make fun of you for driving a tractor! My wife, Linn says tractor driving is one of the best stress relievers ever and there is no way I get to use the tractor first! Guess that lets everyone know who runs things around my place!!

[Paul Schrader]

Sheila

Your attitude and determination don't surprise me at all. I remember those qualities from a long time ago.

Best regards,

Paul

[Glenda Burns Minniece]

Hi Sheila,

I remember that pretty little blonde smiling girl well. And I remember that you moved to the Memorial area before graduation. Traffic wouldn't allow you to get around Houston that easily now, would it? Or have you been to Houston lately?

You and I have tractors in common, but yours is a lot more uptown than our little 1960-something John Deere. But isn't driving a tractor fun!!! I love it!

Blessings, Glenda

[Melanie]

Hello Sheila,

It is so great to hear about you and your family and all your accomplishments. I know that the Lord continues to give you strength and comfort for every day because He gives it to me. I will continue to pray for healing and good health for you.

Just hearing about you brought back many fond memories of our days as friends at Milby. I still treasure them. Thanks!

Isn't it great to be a grandparent? I have 5, 2 grandsons and 3 granddaughters. The boys belong to my girl and the girls belong to my boys.

I don't have a tractor to drive but I did have a motorcycle to ride. Just sold it last year. Rode with my husband and boys for years. It was either learn to ride or stay home, and staying home wasn't in my vocabulary.

I now live in Lakeway, Texas, and have been here for 23 years. I was in banking for 19 years and retired as VP and Operations Officer. Now I sing in the Singing Women of Southeast Texas (all Christian womem), sing in the choir, and play handbells in church. I taught art for a long time and I volunteer in the Austin Assistance League of Texas. Anything to keep me busy besides my grandchildren.

Stay in touch and stay well.

Love,
Melanie Winkler Morrison

[Sheila Steele Howard]

Melanie,
It is so great to hear from you finally. (I e-mailed you way earlier but didn't hear back.) Yes, I have many happy memories of the times we spent as friends at Milby. Some give me the giggles.
Just got back from MDAnderson after 3 days of tests and all is
ok. When do you go again? Maybe we'll see each other there or you can stop in Brenham on your way down HWY 290. Best always,
Love, Sheila