Ann Howery Bickham

Born on December 17, 1930, in Texas City, Texas, Ann was the youngest of eight children to Jesse and Lillian Howery. She spent her childhood in Aransas Pass, Texas, where she cultivated the strong values of faith, love, and resilience that would define her life.

On July 16, 1950, Ann married her Fightin’ Texas Aggie Sweetheart, Ben W. Bickham. At just 19 years old, she still needed her parents' permission to marry, but their love was undeniable and unwavering. Ann and Ben shared more than 70 years of marriage, building a beautiful life together until his passing in February 2021. They were blessed with three children—Ben Jr., Belinda, and Brenda. Though Brenda passed shortly after birth, Ann carried her memory in her heart throughout her life.

Ann and Ben made Houston their home in the mid-1960s, where she resided for the remainder of her life. Her devotion to family was immeasurable, and she was cherished deeply by her grandchildren. Most recently, she was blessed to become a great-grandmother, a role she adored.

She is preceded in death by her parents, her seven siblings, her husband and love of her life, Ben, her beloved daughters Belinda and Brenda, her cherished son-in-law Douglas, and several nieces and nephews.

She leaves behind a legacy of love, survived by her son, Ben (Linda); her grandchildren, Johnnie Queen (David), Kristyn Loomis, and Justin Loomis (Brittany); and her treasured great-grandsons, Jordan and Logan Loomis. She also leaves behind her adored brother-in-law, Red Barker of Aransas Pass and many members of extended family.

Ann embodied the virtues of Proverbs 31—a woman of faith, strength, and unwavering love. She lived with a heart full of adventure, never hesitating to embrace new experiences, even in her later years. Her grandchildren were her greatest joy, and she created treasured memories that they will carry with them forever.

Her faith was unshakable, guiding her through the loss of her infant daughter Brenda and the heartbreaking passing of Belinda after a courageous battle with cancer in 2012. The love and care Ann showed during Belinda’s final days were not only beautiful but profoundly inspiring.

She took great pride in her two Aggie grandchildren, Kristyn and Justin, who followed in their Papaw’s footsteps and graduated from Texas A&M University, with Kristyn’s graduation falling on her birthday in 2005. In her last years, she found immense joy in visits from Justin and his family, Johnnie when she was in town, and outings with Kristyn, her other “pea in a pod,” often saying, “It doesn’t matter who I got, ’cause I got you, babe!” Most recently, the two watched the entire box set of Shirley Temple classics she hadn’t seen in years!

Whether traveling to see family, or getting visits from them, she always treasured time spent with her family.

Ann’s legacy is one of unwavering faith, boundless love, and cherished family memories. Her presence will be deeply missed, but her spirit and the love she poured into her family will live on forever.