Mary Belle Howard

Mary Belle Angermiller Howard, age 89 of Devine went to be with her heavenly family on Tuesday, April 29, 2025.

Born September 17, 1935, at her paternal grandmother’s home in Sabinal,Texas. She was the daughter of Emmett Lee and Eselda Bee “Sally” Rankin Angermiller. Mary’s humble beginnings included living in a tent with her two older sisters on the Sabinal River. She began her education in Hondo at the age of five and graduated from Hondo High School in 1953. Mary and her brother were baptized and confirmed in the summer of 1950 at the Hondo Methodist Church.

After high school, Mary had a summer job at the Hondo National Bank with plans to attend college in the fall. Jerry Howard walked into the bank one July day and the rest was history! They were married on September 26,1953 at the Hondo Methodist Church. She began her married life as a rancher/homemaker. Jerry trained her to be a custom cattle buyer. They were married for thirty-two years and blessed with five children, three daughters and two sons.

Mary enjoyed volunteering her time while raising their family. She served as a room mother while the children were in elementary school. As a 4-H leader, she excelled in teaching clothing construction and foods and nutrition. The children raised animals for stock show competitions, participated in local, district and state levels of competition in numerous areas of interest all under their mother’s guidance.

She served as a member and officer in Devine Current Events and Garden Clubs. She was named a Lifetime Member by the Texas Garden Club in 2018. Mary belonged to the Methodist Church of Devine, serving as chairman of the administrative board and on various committees. She also participated as a lay reader; attended Women of Faith brunches and was the church secretary.

Some of her other roles include Director of Medina County Fair Association for several years—Sec for two terms and President for one term—and was instrumental in the establishment of the scholarship program; Conservation Homemaker of the Year for the state in 1971; 4-H Leader, named as Distinguished Leader for District 13; First Vice-President Texas 4-H Volunteer Leaders Assoc. 1980-82; Devine School Board member (first woman elected)—President 1978; first woman in Medina Co. selected for Grand Jury and elected foreman; Medina Co. election judge for Devine; first woman to run for Medina Co. Judge as a write-in candidate; founding member of the El Camino Real Wildlife Management Assoc.; participant of American Cancer Society, Relay for Life.

In 1978, Jerry and Mary bought a business in Pleasanton, The Mercantile and Mary served as the bookkeeper. She moved the business to Devine in 1987, two years after Jerry passed away.

Her research of the Howard land culminated in the prestigious state award, The Family Land Heritage Award for farms that have been in operation for a century. Jerry was a fourth generation Howard, and their sons, Scott and John are fifth generation. The award was received in November of 1985.

Mary’s love of the land and her family went hand in hand. Her twinkling blue eyes and wonderful stories will be remembered by many. Her legacy lives on through her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sisters, June Tarrodaychik and husband Paul; Virginia Margiotta and husband Harry; brother, Roy Lee ‘Pete” Angermiller and wife Therese ‘Terry’; son-in-law, Craig Mikulenka.

She is survived by her children, Lynda Mikulenka, Deanna Kempen, Karen (Alan) Muennink, Scott (Debbie) Howard, and John (Laura) Howard. She is also survived by grandchildren: Genya (Broc) Laughlin, Benjamin (Sarah) Krieger, Daron Coull, Matthew (Tracy) Kempen, Jessica (Kevin) Sorensen, Jillian (William) Casarez, Jared (Robyn) Muennink, Emmett (Madelyn) Muennink, Holly (Rene) Muniz, Maggie (Dustin) Burleson, Maycee (Reagan) Anderson, Kaylee Howard, Cutter Howard and eighteen great-grandchildren.

Graveside services will be held on Saturday, May 24, at the Howard-Hardcastle Family Cemetery, 752 Co. Rd. 654 Devine, Texas, 78016 at 10:00 a.m. A celebration of life will follow at the Black Creek Baptist Church Annex.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.