Mildred "Millie" Howard

Mildred "Millie" Josephine Howard, 81, of Gravel Ridge, Arkansas, passed away on March 21, 2016, at home and surrounded by her family. Millie was born in Bauxite, Arkansas on September 11, 1934 to Nick and Alice Rogers Patrick. Millie, the ninth of ten children, was their youngest daughter. Determined, sensible, intelligent, stalwart, loving, and kind, Millie always listened before speaking, offered words of encouragement to everyone, was of great humor, was compassionate, and was passionate about life and the ideas in which she believed. She was Mom to four children, all of whom she loved more than anything and was so very proud, and she was known as Mamma Millie to many others. She loved babies, sitting for hours holding any baby who would let her (and most all did), a new grandchild, or more recently, a great-grandchild or two. She loved her in-laws as if they were her own children. There are so many wonderful stories about Millie that will live on in our memories of her. The first of her family to graduate high school, her photo from that event shows the determination in her eyes, along with the happiness in achieving a sought-after goal. A stay-at-home Mom to her children, she taught them how to love, be kind and compassionate, and what being a family was all about. Even though she had four children of her own, she babysat for others whose parents knew in their hearts that there was no better place for their own children to be loved and guided in good ways. She passed her first driving test around the age of 40, even after driving the wrong way down a one-way street. We like to think it was because the policeman giving the test saw in her what we all did – kindness, humor, compassion, and learning from her mistakes, although we are pretty sure there were not many of the latter as she was as near to perfect as they come. Once, when asked which of her children was the "Golden Child," she responded that all of her children were her golden children, although there is still ongoing discussion amongst the four on that particular point. A frequent user of Facebook, she kept up with family goings on, posting many quotes and anecdotes. Simply look through those and Millie's personality emerges – think before you speak, do what you are supposed to do, focus on making yourself a better person, care for one another, and have a strong faith in God. Her favorite Bible verse sums up Millie: Psalm 19:14 "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Mille was preceded in death by her parents and eight siblings. Surviving are her husband, Clarence Howard; her sons Wes (Sheila) Howard of Chaffee, Missouri, Chet (Lori) Howard of Little Rock, Russell (Teresa) Howard of Sherman, Texas; daughter Pam (Dick) Willis of Little Rock; twelve grandchildren: Sam, Bailey, Emily, Cyleste, Zack, Christopher, Ken, Maranda, Regan, Amanda, Jake, and Patrick; eight great-grandchildren; brother Nick (Minchen) Patrick of Madison, Alabama; and many nieces, nephews, extended family, and friends. Visitation will be held from 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 24 at Griffin Leggett Rest Hills, 7224 Landers Road, North Little Rock, with funeral at the funeral home at 10 a.m. on Friday, March 25. Millie specifically requested that this be a celebration of her life and legacy. She would love it if attendees wore something purple, with a happy heart and a smile.