Mary Margaret Abraham

Mary Margaret Abraham was born on May 15, 1965 in Watervliet, Michigan to parents Byrl and Phyllis (Thomason) Abraham. After a 20-year battle with health, Mary passed away at the Life Care Center of Bridgeton, Missouri on December 28, 2021 at the age of 56.

Mary spent her first 8 years of life in Michigan (Coloma & Detroit) with her 6 siblings and parents struggling to make ends meet. In 1968, the family moved south to Yale, Illinois and then moved again in 1971 to Newton, Illinois where they would stay. In 1980, Mary married Jesse Headlee. Mary divorced in late 1981 and traveled north to Aurora, Illinois where she met the father of her four children, Michael Howze. They enjoyed many years of life together before his passing in 1992. Mary moved back south to Newton where her mom (Phyllis) helped take care of her children while she pursued her GED and CNA. Upon earning both, Mary took a job in Effingham, Illinois at Lakeland Health Care. She lived in Effingham as a single mother with her four children until 2001 when she was able to purchase her first home in Watson, IL. During her healthy, working life Mary was a loving, church-going, providing mother who enjoyed things like: listening to her kids sing in the car and at church, encouraging her daughter's love of pets, teaching her daughter how to crochet, snuggling with her son on the couch, watching Star Trek with her son, and telling her kids stories about their dad. She also loved wearing her blue jean jacket, crocheting, listening to the Gaithers, and watching unsolved mysteries. By 2002, Mary's health had been in decline for some time. She strived to keep a job as her family's provider, but eventually her needs became too great. Her and her four children moved back with her mom (Phyllis) and brother (Loran) in 2002 in Newton, IL. There, she was diagnosed as HIV-positive and was given a 10-year estimate of life. Mary would go on to survive for nearly twenty years. One of the biggest blessings of those years was getting to see the births of her grandchildren. In 2009, she met her first grandchild by her son (Michael), and she would go on to meet eleven more before her passing. Mary enjoyed hearing her son's (Jeremiah) sermons when he would pick her up for church at Wheeler Christian Church (IL). Mary was lead to give her life to Christ in Christian baptism in 2012 by her two sons (Michael and Jeremiah) at Latona Church of Christ (IL). Mary held in joyful regard the years that she spent living with her daughters. She got to enjoy nearly four years (2005-2009) in Effingham making precious memories while living with her daughter (Elizabeth) during her high school years. The cherished time she got to spend with her younger daughter (Le'Ann) in her St. Louis home (2012-2017) allowed her priceless moments with her granddaughters. In her later years, as her health declined she enjoyed making crafts for her grandchildren and playing bingo at the care home. She made friends of the staff wherever she was, and enjoyed when her children and grandchildren would visit or come to take her out with them until she went to be with the Lord in 2021.

Mary was the daughter of the late Byrl and Phyllis (Thomason) Abraham. Mary is survived by her four children; Michael Howze, Jr., Elizabeth (Travis) Schumacher, Le’Ann (Robert) Mayes, Jeremiah (Kendra) Howze, and twelve grandchildren; Michael, Jocelyn, Gracie, Raina, Rhianne, Reagan, Remi, Jackson, Zechariah, Jedidiah, Chara, and Aletheia. Mary is also survived by three brothers; Robert (Cindy) Abraham, Richard (Debra) Abraham, Ronald Abraham, and two sisters; Cathy (Kenneth) Rhoades and Sandra (Keith) Shackmann.

In addition to her parents, Mary is also preceded in death by her husband Michael Eugene Howze, Sr., her brother Loran Abraham, and her nephew Michael Abraham.

The family would like to express deep gratitude to the caregivers at Effingham Rehabilitation Center, Lakeland Healthcare, St. Sophia Rehabilitation, and LifeCare Center of Bridgeton for the many years of care provided for their mother.

The family is planning a Memorial Service at Crossroots Church in Effingham, Illinois on Monday, January 31 at 10:00 am. The address is 3200 South Banker Street 62401.

In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting for donations to be made to Crossroots Church of Effingham, IL for their history of caring for and loving our family when we needed it most. Please visit their website to learn how to give.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.alexanderstlouis.com for the Abraham family.