July 12, 1949 – July 13, 2023

Services for Bessie Mae Nichols Howell will be held at 12:00 PM on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Wilda Baptist Church, with Bro. Joey Rudisill officiating. Interment will follow in Dark Neal Cemetery under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home.

Visitation will be held from 10:30 AM until the time of service on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at the church.

Bessie Mae Nichols Howell, 74, of Boyce, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2023, at Rapides Regional Medical Center.

Bessie is preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Jefferson Jr. and Allie Mae Nichols, along with numerous brothers and sisters.

Bessie Mae will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend to all. She was lovingly called “Nannie” by her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Bessie Mae had a great love of bright colors, flowers, butterflies, and lady bugs. She had a bright personality and a nurturing heart. Bessie Mae was a life-long member of Wilda Baptist Church and served her church community by volunteering with the Sunday School ladies for many church functions. Bessie Mae will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children, Michael J. Howell (Charlene) and Kristene N. Lewis (Carson); 5 siblings, Murrel Nichols (Jean), Amanda Warner, Kendrith Ray Nichols (Onnie), Effie Newsome, and Audrey Roberts; 5 grandchildren, Chelsea LeBlanc (Erik), Caleb Howell, Triston Howell, Ethan Lewis, Carsten Lewis; step-grandchildren, Kaitlyn Lewis, Andrew Lewis (Rebecca); and two great-grandchildren, Easton LeBlanc and Pryor LeBlanc.

Pallbearers honored to serve will be Caleb Howell, Triston Howell, Ethan Lewis, Carsten Lewis, Erik LeBlanc, and Robert Morgan.

Charitable donations in Bessie’s memory can be made to the Wilda Baptist Church Building Fund, 75 St. Clair Rd., Boyce, LA 71409.