Evelyn Howell
Evelyn Julia Kocurek Howell, age 91, passed away on September 25, 2020. She was born on December 20, 1928, in Robstown, Texas, to John and Mary Kocurek.
She spent many years working for Humble Oil & Refining in the Wilson Tower in Corpus Christi, Texas. One of her many interests was her involvement with The Desk and Derrick Club, a non-profit oil and gas organization. Evelyn spoke publicly at various Corpus Christi schools to create awareness of the role and value of energy in our daily lives.
She loved bowling and the league friends she made. She moved to Houston in the late 60’s, and became an Astros fan. She shared her love of the game with her grandkids, who loved attending games with her. Never a fair-weather fan, she could tell you the stats of the players and always cheered them on.
Evelyn lived in Houston for the remainder of her life. She worked for oil and gas firms and retired from Total Petroleum.
She is survived by her three daughters – all in Texas: Nancy Kennedy of League City, Patricia Whetsell (husband, Jim) of Kerrville, and Mona Howell Bozeman of Cypress, Texas. She is also survived by four grandchildren and six great grandchildren, whom she adored and who lovingly referred to her as “Nannie” .
Evelyn will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her. A private burial will be at Seaside Memorial in Corpus Christi, Texas.
I’m Free
My life’s been full; I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one’s touch.
Perhaps my time seemed all too brief
Don’t lengthen it now with undue grief.
Lift up your hearts and peace to thee
God wanted me now; He set me free.
I love you Nannie!
Nancy, Stephanie, Susanna & Andrea ~
We are so very sorry for your loss. Hugs & Prayers to you all during this difficult time.
Love,
Cynthia & Lynn
Thank you. She is already missed. Nancy
The end of an era is always sad, but Aunt Evelyn is reunited with her Mom, Dad and all her siblings. As a child I always thought she was beautiful, classy and elegant and had the best spike high heel shoes! Thoughts and prayers for my cousins and their children and children’s children for their Mom, Grandmother and Great Grandmother. May she rest in in peace with God and his angels.
She was my favorite aunt. I love her laugh and her zest for life.she will be truly missed. RIP
Barbara Sumpter her sister Dorothy Kocurek Debates Daughter.
Dear Nancy, Stephanie and Suzanna,
I’m very sorry for your loss. I’m saddened you all could not
visit with her because of COVID.
I hope your wonderful memories bring you comfort
during this difficult time.
My love,
Patty
Aunt Evelyn was not only a favorite aunt of mine; she was also my friend, mentor, coworker and neighbor.
My first job after graduating from college was with Elf Aquitaine Petroleum, which later became Total Petroleum. By coincidence, Aunt Evelyn was already employed with the same company when I went to work for them. We both were in the Allied Bank Plaza in downtown Houston; she was on the 38th floor and I was on the 39th floor. Many of my family members thought Aunt Evelyn got me my job; but she was quick to correct them and say that I got it completely on my own, which was true. We were both surprised to learn we both worked for the same company, one floor apart! But Aunt Evelyn was invaluable to me in that first job. We shared common oil industry work experiences and she helped me tremendously to “learn the ropes.” She helped guide me many times through the office politics of an oil company.
We also lived close to each other in Houston and she would invite me over for supper sometimes. I never turned down her invitation because Aunt Evelyn was well known for being one of the best cooks in our family. She made wonderful jalapeno cornbread and the best strawberry pie I ever ate!
In the last several years, while I lived in Central Texas, I would drive to Houston to see her in the nursing home. I would pay back some of those wonderful meals she had cooked for me by bringing her favorite seafood from Landry’s or sausage from the New Braunfels Smokehouse to the nursing home. I kept in touch with her until I had to relocate to Odessa, Texas for work and it became more difficult to stay in communication.
Aunt Evelyn was a warm, generous, very gracious lady who had a heart as big as the Texas outdoors. Like my dad, her brother, she made friends wherever she went and was always very sociable. She also was one of the hardest working persons I have ever met. She put in long hours working in the oil industry, but she had a genuine love for her work. She often said that once the oil industry gets “in your blood” it is difficult to work in any other industry and I completely agree with her assessment.
And like my dad, she often watched football games on television, so I have no doubt that she and my dad are probably watching celestial football in heaven of the “saints versus the angels.”
I was VERY lucky to have her as my aunt. She always lent me an understanding ear with wonderful advice both for my career and personal life and I remember her intelligence and elegance, even when I was a child. I will miss her, but I look forward to seeing her again in heaven where we will eat seafood and talk oil industry shop! God bless you Aunt Evelyn! All my sympathy to my cousins.
Aunt Evelyn is now reunited with all that have gone before her and in that I can rejoice. I remember her and my cousins coming down to her mother’s house (my grandmother’s house) in Corpus Christi. I knew that when she came down that there would be one delicious holiday meal because when Grandma and Aunt Evelyn got together there was many delicious foods to be eaten. There was so much food that definitely there was leftovers for several days. I also remember her jovial self and her infectious smile. Prayers for comfort for her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren (my cousins). She will be greatly missed! Fly high with the angels Aunt Evelyn!