Naomi Howell was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma on November 17, 1938 to Melvin and Winnie Wallace. She was the oldest of six children. She was educated at Northwest School and graduated from Dunbar High School. Shortly after moving to California, she met and married John Howell and to this union 3 children were born, 2 of which preceded her in death. This marriage was later dissolved, after which she moved back to Okmulgee.

She confessed her hope in Christ as a child and later united with St Matthews Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor McKinley Rice. She attended St Matthews until her illness. Her faith, hope, and love in Christ remained a strong part of her life and she tried to focus all she did around it. She loved reading her Bible, listening to inspirational teachings and music, and instilling her knowledge of the Lord in those around her. She also enjoyed traveling, spending time with her grandkids and family, and reminiscing about happy memories.

She was preceded in death by 2 daughters, Barbara Michelle and Victoria, parents Melvin Wallace and Winnie Wallace and brother Melvin Wallace, Jr. She leaves in God's care to cherish her memories, her son, John Patrick Howell (Allison); grandsons Jaiden and Zen; granddaughter Jordin of Okmulgee; sister Carol Lewis of Arlington, TX; brothers Roosevelt, James (Beatrice) of Okmulgee, OK, Charles Wallace of Tulsa and Robert Barnett (Kamilah) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Services for Naomi Ruth Howell will be Sunday March 24, 2013 at 3PM at St. Matthew Baptist Church.