Mildred L. Howerton, cared for others
Our beloved mother Mildred L. Howerton, 97, of Rehoboth Beach, passed away peacefully in her sleep Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022. With the care of her family, she was able to enjoy her final days in her home with a beautiful view of her bay. She was born Sept. 9, 1924, in Washington, D.C., the daughter of the late Thomas and Eleanor (Ridgely) Thayer.
Millie was a warm spirit whom people gravitated towards. Anyone who met her loved her. She cared for others right up to her last day, asking those who came to visit if they ate and if they had their coats.
Her home was always filled with love, friendship, and laughter, and she believed the more the merrier. She always remembered to send a birthday, anniversary, congratulations, or thank you card to her very large list of family and friends. She always made her mix that she sent out to all the grandchildren or a box of gifts at Christmas.
She would do anything for you. If you just mention something that you need, she’s off trying to find it. You would never know she was uncomfortable with what she was dealing with, as she never complained. Millie wanted to be independent as long as she could, and was still driving at 97. Millie lived alone and had daily conversations with her niece, Dorothy, and others were always calling her. She became more involved in the church after our father passed away in 2009, joining many clubs such as the Bible study group and the Sand Dollars group. She held memberships to the Elks Club, American Legion and was involved in both on a regular basis.
Millie was a widow, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. Her many friends extended from her church, around her neighborhood, and those she has been friends with since her high school days. She joins her husband, Elmer W. Howerton; her two sons: Gary Howerton and Craig Howerton; her three sisters: Mary Thelma Van Horn, Margaret Caroline Cross and Dorothy Virginia Irwin; and her brother, Richard Ridgely Thayer in Heaven.
She is survived by her remaining two children, Brian T. Howerton and Janice L. Howerton McNamee; 10 grandchildren: Mark Hutchison, Darryl Anderson, Yvonne Howerton Tafoya, Teresa Howerton Jonas, Stacey Howerton Thomas, Matthew Wroe, Kelly McMahon, Laura Wilson, Lindsay Howerton and Lauren Howerton; 17 great-grandchildren; and 12 great-great-grandchildren, with two more on the way.
Services will be held at noon, Friday, Jan. 28, at the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, with luncheon provided in the fellowship hall at 1 p.m. Interment will be private at Delaware Veterans Memorial Cemetery, Millsboro.
In lieu of flowers, our mother has asked for donations to be sent to: The Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach, or a charity of your choice in Millie’s name.
Visit Millie’s Life Memorial webpage and sign her virtual guest book at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
