Leola "Lee" Howell

November 15, 1936 – January 18, 2018

Leola Howell (“Lee”) went home on January 18, 2018 after enduring prolonged medical conditions. She never let her physical infirmities slow her down and strove to maintain her independence until the very end. She was a kind, loving and loyal person. She always encouraged others to achieve their potential. She was loved by all who knew her.

Lee was born on November 15, 1936 in Memphis, Tennessee. She is the fourth of five children born to William Hamilton and Betty Rowe Howell. The Howell family moved to St. Louis Missouri when Lee was a small child. There she grew up, making lifelong friends.

Lee entered the workforce while in high school and worked as an elevator operator, manicurist at Chase Park Plaza, and a seamstress in the garment district. After high school, she completed cosmetology school and began her lifelong career as a licensed cosmetologist. She worked in several local salons and eventually opened her own salon. She developed her own unique and sought-after hairweaving technique. She made custom wigs and toupees. The specialized unique hairweaving technique developed into a highly sought after and profitable niche service.

In October of 1957, Lee married Landers Harris. That marital union bore two sons - Landers Harris Jr. and Kirkland Harris. That union ended in 1973. Lee relocated to California. There she lived on Malibu Beach and in Beverly Hills. She opened a hair salon in Beverly Hills. Her clientele included many internationally known celebrities and entertainers. Upon the encouragement of her beloved and only brother, Lee moved to Arizona to be near family. She settled in Scottsdale, AZ and opened a salon. There she lived and worked until illness overtook her a few months before she went home.

Family members who went home before Lee are her father - William Hamilton Howell, mother - Betty Rowe Howell, sisters - Edna Howell and Lenora Stoddard, brother - William Miles Howell, and sons - Kirkland Harris and Landers Harris Jr. Lee is survived by her sister Zenola Howell and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Lee is loved, missed, and will always be cherished.

Celebration of Life Service

11:00 am – 1:00 pm

Saturday, March 10, 2018

Marley Park Heritage Club

15210 W. Sweetwater Avenue

Surprise, AZ. 85379