Betty Charline Howland, known by Charline to her loved ones, passed away on August 22, 2014, surrounded by her family, after a long illness.
Charline Howland was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Aug. 5, 1938 to Allen and Jewel Brewer, and grew up, with her three brothers, in the small community of Berryhill, Oklahoma, on the outskirts of Tulsa. Charline graduated salutatorian from Berryhill High School and attended college in Tahlequah, Oklahoma.
After leaving college, Charline returned to Tulsa where she worked for Sears department store. It was during this time that Charline met her future husband, Robert Howland, on a blind date, and after several months of courtship, were married in Tulsa, Oklahoma in September of 1959. Shortly after Charline and Bob married, they relocated to the Neosho area to be closer to Bob’s family.
In 1961, their first daughter, Kelly, was born and, in 1964, they welcomed the birth of their second daughter, Trisha. Also during this time, Bob and Charline purchased a small drive-in restaurant in Jasper, Missouri, which they operated for a few years.
In the early 1970’s, the couple came to Joplin, Missouri, where they had a third daughter, Elizabeth. Joplin was also where they made their final family home and were they became the owner/operators of a business, Beverage Distributing Company, first creating and selling their own brand of soda pop, Ranch Club, and later becoming one of the first bottled water distributors in the area.
Besides being the co-owner/operator of Beverage Distributing Company, Charline also worked as a bookkeeper and office manager for several businesses in the area, including Webb Corporation and the Carthage Racquetball Club & Movie Theater.
After the death of her husband in 2006, Charline devoted the majority of her time to her much-loved grandson, Chantz, and to her newly adopted a puppy, Lilly. Charline loved to travel, read, and listen to music.
She is survived by one brother, JB Brewer, of Berryhill, Oklahoma, and her three daughters, Kelly Howland, of Highlandville, Missouri, Trisha Downey of Joplin, Missouri, and Elizabeth Howland, also of Joplin, Missouri, and her grandson, Chantz Downey. Trisha’s husband, Dan Downey, also loved and cherished Charline and had an extraordinary bond with her, and treated her with all the kindness and love a son could bestow upon a mother.
Charline never realized the extent of the impact she made on those around her. Her passing has left a hole in the hearts of all who loved and knew her, and she will be greatly missed by her family and friends, as well as the caregivers who provided much needed assistance and support during her final days.
Graveside service, Wednesday, August 27, 2014 at King Cemetery, Neosho, MO. Family will receive friends on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 from 6-7:00 PM at the mortuary.
In lieu of flowers please send donations to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
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