Mildred Louise Wilson Howard, 89, of Memphis, Missouri, passed away Saturday, August 5, 2017, at the Scotland County Care Center.

Mildred was born to Irvin Frederick and Bessie Mae Scovern Wilson on February 18, 1928, on the family farm near Antioch in rural Clark County Missouri.

She graduated in 1946 from Kahoka High School. Following graduation she was employed by Northwestern Bell Telephone in Fort Madison, Iowa from 1946 to 1950. During that time she was selected 'Miss Fort Madison, Iowa' at the AMVETS Convention. Mildred met a World War II Navy veteran, Vernon Howard, who was the love of her life. They were married on June 10, 1950, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Fort Madison, Iowa. They celebrated 67 years of marriage. Following their marriage, they resided on a farm in Etna, Missouri and later made Memphis their home.

In 1972, Mildred became a licensed Real Estate Agent and worked for Julian Campbell realtors until 1996. She was a member of the Northeast Missouri Board of Realtors of Kirksville, Missouri. Mildred was a charter member of St. John's Catholic Church in Memphis, Missouri. She was a founder and charter member of the Homeport Navy Mother's Club No.985, having served as Commander and Adjutant. Mildred and Vernon were members of the Loyal Order of Moose, Kirksville, Missouri and enjoyed many years of music and dancing with friends. She was a proud Democrat. Mildred was artistic and creative. Her interests included sewing, embroidery and writing poetry. Her passion was photography, as evidenced by the thousands of photos she left for all to enjoy. She dearly loved communing with nature on 7 Oaks Hill, birdwatching, fishing, and growing spectacular flower gardens. Mildred's greatest joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Left to honor her memory is her husband Vernon; her children: Dennis Howard, Deana Howard, Darrell Howard and Donna Craig and her husband, John, all of Memphis; eight grandchildren: Darin (Beth) Howard, Daryl (Jennifer) Howard, Dustin (Christina) Howard, Jacob (Lexi) Howard, Katie Howard, Lucas Howard, Michael Howard and Charlie (Teresa) Taylor; eight great-grandchildren: Lexi and Griffin Myers, Brielle Howard, Ava and Will Howard, Asher Howard and Madison and Francis Taylor. Other survivors include numerous nephews and nieces, who many lovingly called her "Aunt Mommy", cousins and a host of friends; her brother, Clifford Wilson; brothers-in-law: Alvin and Wilmer Howard and a sister-in-law, Nancy Wilson.

Mildred was preceded in death by her parents; her father and mother-in-law, Elmer and Edith Howard; two brothers: Darrell and Verlin Wilson; sisters-in-law: Barbara Howard, Lois Wilson, Margaret Howard and a brother-in-law, Melvin Howard.