Mrs. Eleanor Addie Jean Bailey Howard

On February 6, 1939 a sweet baby girl was born to the parentage of Oran Bailey and DeClara Nixon Bailey in Midway, Texas (Madisonville County). She accepted Christ at an early age at Antioch Church of Christ in Midway, Texas. Later she attended Lawrence & Marder Church of Christ and Marsalis Avenue Church of Christ where she remained a faithful member. After high school, she married Willie Howard, Sr. and to that union (2) two sons were born Willie Jr., and Rickey Lionel. She began her formal education at A.W. Lee in Midway, Texas. After moving to Dallas, Texas, she matriculated her high school education at Lincoln High School. She later attended East Texas State University in Commerce, Texas currently known as Texas A &M University in Commerce, where she received her Bachelor’s degree. She also obtained her Master’s degree at Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas. She worked for a brief time at Franklin D. Roosevelt High School in Dallas and she taught for six years in the Cleburne ISD. She was a member of the Washington Lincoln Alumni Association for the Dallas Chapter, and a long time member of the Democratic National Committee. With entrepreneur ambition, she opened Sugar Cake Nursery School in 1982 until 2014. She was very proud of her school and the furthering of her student’s education and she was very determined to start her own business when she first started. When she first opened the nursery, she asked God for 5 years and He blessed her with 32 years and two locations. She enjoyed life to the fullest; she has traveled extensively abroad visiting cities like Paris, France and various other parts of Europe and many other destinations. Eleanor was preceded in death by both of her parents, Oran and DeClara Bailey; her son Rickey Lionel Howard; her sister: Bernice Flanagan, and Brother Minister Oscar Bailey. She leaves to cherish her precious memories: her loving son: Willie James Howard, Jr. (Jacqueline); grandsons: Willie James Howard III, Marcus Lionel Howard and Denzel Rashad Howard; brothers: Morris Bailey, Bobby Bailey, Sr. (Oneida); sisters: Curtie Rabon, Francis Mosby (Larry), Gladys Spencer, and Beverly Bailey; special nieces: Nina Midgett and Diane Haskins; and a host of other family and friends.