Ruth Eugenia Howell

Ruth Eugenia Wilkes Howell - "God made a wonderful Mother, a mother who never grows old. He made her smile of the sunshine and molded her heart of pure gold. In her eyes, he placed bright shining stars in her. In her cheeks, fair roses you see. God made a wonderful Mother and He gave her to me." --Pat O'Reilly Ruth Eugenia Wilkes Howell, lovingly known to her friends and family as "Ruthie", left this world a beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Sister, and Aunt at the age of 98. She was the daughter of Mable Herbert Wilkes and Roger S. Wilkes and was the 5th of 8 children. Ruth was born on August 23, 1926, in Catonsville, Maryland and peacefully transitioned into eternal life on May 19, 2025. Six of her siblings preceded her in death. They were Emma Wilkes, Anna Woodland, Charles Wilkes, Edgar Wilkes, Merton Wilkes, and Cornelia Wilkes, as well as her husband, James E. Howell. Roger S. Wilkes is her only surviving sibling. Ruth received her early education in Catonsville Public Schools. The Wilkes family moved to Baltimore City where she continued her education. Ruth attended and graduated from Frederick Douglas High School in 1943 and also business school after high school. She worked for many years at the Social Security Administration in a supervisory role at a job she really loved. Ruth was a selfless person who truly loved all of her family with all her heart and soul. She was an avid reader and saw the world through books. Earlier in her life, Ruth was an aspiring writer. She had a sharp eye and appreciation for art, a family tradition, and a deep love for motion pictures, which she passed on to her children. Because of the deep love she had for her family, she sacrificed for their well-being. Ruth had a great appreciation of Baltimore and its history. She was an accomplished seamstress and loved to knit. Ruth was a very giving person and we all cherish the memories we have of her. She leaves to mourn her only living sibling, Roger S. Wilkes, Jr.; three children, sons-Harold L. Curry, Jr. (Winnie) of San Antonio, Texas; James E. Howell, Jr. (Brenda of Dallas, Texas; and her loving and devoted daughter and caretaker, Patrice Jackson (Bernard Jackson, Sr. Deceased) of Baltimore, MD; seven grandchildren, Bernard Jackson, Jr., Melissa Jackson, Nicholas C.B. Curry, Elliott G. Howell (Jessica), Max Z. Curry, Lacey D. Howell, and Victor A. Howell; and two great-grandchildren, Jamison G. Howell and Elise N. Howell. Ruth has an extended family of nieces, nephews, and other relatives.

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Ruth Eugenia Howell

August 23, 1926 - May 19, 2025