Edith Anson Boulware

Edith Anson Boulware died June 5, 2011. Mrs. Boulware was born in St. John’s Hospital, San Angelo, Texas on December 2, 1921. She was the daughter of William Anson and Louise Van Wagenen Anson. Mr. Anson was a son of the 2nd Earl of Lichfield of Shugborough, England and was a pioneer rancher and quarter horse breeder in Texas, who owned and operated the Head of the River Ranch, Christoval, Texas. Edith was educated at schools in Switzerland, England, and Paris, before returning to the US to attend The Chapin School in New York City, where she graduated in 1940. During her years in New York, Edith spent every summer at the Head of the River Ranch where she rode with the ranch hands every morning. She attended Smith College in Northampton, Mass. In 1943, she married Capt. Alfred Ryland Howard II of Houston, Texas, who was a forward air observer and division air officer in the 90th Division. Capt. Howard was killed in action in Normandy, France in 1944. Their son, Alfred Ryland Howard, was born in San Angelo, after Capt. Howard’s death.

In 1947, Edith married Ford Millspaugh Boulware, a mining engineer in Utah and a native of San Angelo. Mr. Boulware had served in World War II as a battalion commander in the amphibious engineers. In 1948, the Boulwares moved to Christoval, Texas to operate the Head of the River Ranch. They lived at the Ranch and in San Angelo throughout the rest of their lives. They also spent summers at their shore home in Charlestown, R. I. Edith loved gardening, cooking, and raising dogs. Mr. Boulware died in 2008.

Mrs. Boulware was a member of the Junior League of New York City and was a founding member of the Junior League of San Angelo. She served on the Tom Green County Library Board, the San Angelo Symphony Board, and was instrumental in the formation of the Sonrisas Therapeutic Riding Program. She was a member of the Advisory Board of the Natural Sciences of the University of Texas for 10 years. She was also a long time member of the 20th Century Club and Emmanuel Episcopal Church of San Angelo, Texas.

Edith Boulware was ahead of her time in her active interest and participation in the conservation and protection of species and natural habitat. She was actively involved in the preservation of the aquatic habitat and riparian forest ecology of the Head of the River Ranch, starting in the 1950’s. She has always supported organizations concerned with environmental issues. The Boulwares and their son Ryland Howard have made their ranch available to the Department of Zoology at UT and the Department of Biology at Angelo State University. The family regard the ranch with its two spring-fed streams at the head of the South Concho River as a natural biological laboratory. Mr. and Mrs. Boulware have given support to this work through a scholarship fund at ASU to aid biology students.

Mrs. Boulware is survived by her son, A. Ryland Howard of San Antonio, his wife Pamela Fitzsimons Howard, and three grandchildren, Anson Boulware Howard, Laura Isabel Howard, and Louisa Carrigan Howard. Mrs. Boulware’s family would like to thank Eva Horton, Chris Holt and the other children of old friends of the Boulwares for the wonderful love and attention that they have given to Edith Boulware during her last years and thank Esperanza Knight, Fortunato Fernandez, and Mrs. Boulware’s caregivers Nellie, Minnie, and Martha for their care. Memorial gifts may be made to: the Head of the River Ranch Fund at Angelo State University, Emmanuel Episcopal Church, Christoval Volunteer Fire Department, or the charity of your choice.

The Memorial Service will be 2:00 P.M., Thursday, June 9, 2011 at Emmanuel Episcopal Church with The Rev. Gail E. Davis officiating. Arrangements are by Johnson’s Funeral Home.

Family and friends may sign an online register book at www.johnsons-funeralhome.com.