Aileen Russell Howard went to be with her heavenly Father on December 16 2008. Visitation will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Friday December 19 at North's Funeral Home in Abilene. Funeral services will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday December 20 at North's Memorial Chapel 242 Orange. Interment services will be held at a later date in Fort Sam Houston's Veterans Cemetery in San Antonio Texas. She was born on November 15 1921 to Lee Eddie and Nelia Lucille Russell in Hydro Oklahoma. She was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years Frank C. Howard Jr. four brothers and two sisters. Mrs. Howard is survived by her six children: Frank Corbett Howard III and wife Sue of Celina Texas Steven L. Howard and wife Candace of New Braunfels Texas Russell K. Howard and wife Mary of Nashville Tennessee William Scott Howard and wife Mary of Midland Texas Diana Howard of Abilene and Susan Howard Bowles and husband Tim also of Abilene thirteen grandchildren fourteen great-grandchildren one brother Roger Russell one sister Joanne Hobbs and one sister-in-law Rosemary Hezmall. She was the ""perfect"" mother wife and lady. She was known for her culinary expertise that earned her 37 West Texas State Fair Blue and ""Best of Show"" ribbons. She will be truly missed. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Texas Cancer Center Abilene Texas. online condolences may be sent to www.northsfuneralhome.com