Shirley "Vern" LaVerne Howell

Shirley LaVerne Howell "Vern", 75, of White Pine Rd., Lakewood, New Mexico, passed away January 7, 2011 at Carlsbad Medical Center. Visitation will be Sunday, January 9, 2011, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. Graveside service is scheduled for Monday, January 10, 2011, 2:00 PM, at McDonald Cemetery, west of Lakewood, NM with J.T. Ross officiating. Interment will follow in McDonald Cemetery, Lakewood, New Mexico. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements. Shirley LaVerne Howell was born September 17, 1935 in Daingerfield, Texas to Luke and Gladys (Venable) Miller. She married Richard Howell on January 18, 1952 in Carlsbad, New Mexico, and together they made their home west of 7 Rivers where they ranched together for the last 59 years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, sister and friend to everyone that knew her. "Vern" was a 22 year cancer survivor. She was preceded in death by her parents, 1 brother, 1 sister and son Dale Howell, 2 sons-in-law Dale Stafford and Mike Cummings. Survivors include: husband, Richard M. Howell of Lakewood, NM, daughters; Sharon Stafford of Las Cruces, NM and Terrie Cummings of Lakewood, NM; brother; Alton Miller and wife, Judy of Bountiful, UT; sister: Gayla Edwards and husband, Carl of Purdon, TX; 7 grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews. Pallbearers will be Justin Cummings, Shawn Cummings, Tyler Howell, Chuck Cyr, Gary Rust and Chad Nance. Memorial contributions may be made to the, American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1856, Clovis, NM 88101 Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com.