Joy Irene Swindle Howe

Joy Irene Swindle Howe, age 77, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at her home near Senatobia, MS. She was a faithful servant to the Kingdom of God and mankind.

Funeral services will be 2:00 P.M. Sunday, May 5, 2019 at Faith Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church, 325 Lakewood Dr. in Batesville, MS with the interment to follow at Forrest Memorial Park in Batesville, MS. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening, May 4, 2019, from 6:00 - 8:00 P.M. at Wells Funeral Home.

Irene was born March 28, 1942 in Quitman County, MS to the late Thomas and Mary Jane Roberson Swindle. A nurse for 40 years, Irene began her career at Batesville Hospital and eventually retired from Tri-Lakes Medical Center. During her career she was a recipient of the distinguished Florence Nightingale Award. She was a prayer warrior and devoted member of her church. She enjoyed reading the Word of the Lord, attending church, and working in the Kingdom of God. She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary; founder of the Little Ladies Auxiliary; assisted with long term planning sessions with church members; and was a Sunday School teacher and member of the public relations committee. She also sang in the choir. Irene always made time to be with with her grandchildren, friends, and family, and welcomed them all to her table. She was known to make incredible desserts, which included a chocolate pie (that everyone wanted the recipe for) and intricately decorated birthday cakes. Her gift to many church members was to cater their wedding reception and make their wedding cake. She enjoyed traveling to see her relatives near and far and also traveling to foreign countries. She particularly enjoyed her trip to the Holy Land where she was re-baptized in the Jordan River. She collected cookbooks, pins, and many friends over the years.

The loving family she leaves behind include her husband of 59 years, Aubrey Burns Howe; children, Burney Howe (Carla) of Pontotoc, Michael Clinton Howe (Pam) of Batesville, Ladye Jacqueline Durdin (Ray) of Senatobia; grandchildren Brandon Howe, (Sharon) of Southaven, Jonathan Caldwell Howe of Senatobia, Michael Shane Howe and Caleb Seth Howe both of Pontotoc, Chelsea Cheyene Foshee (Kaleb) of Sardis, Raychel Rebeckah-Joy Durdin of Hattiesburg, Jack-Thomas Heath Durdin, and Maggie Eliza-Jayne Durdin both of Senatobia; great grandchildren, Brayden Allen Howe and Axel Cayden Howe of Southaven, Ragan Lane Howe of Pontotoc and John Whyatt Ward Foshee of Sardis; sisters Mary Doris Lenard of Bruce, Margaret Ann Jones of Horn Lake, her twin sister, Joyce Myrene Bently of Valparaiso, IN, 3 sisters-in-law, Mildred Howe of Oakland, Marion Howe of Neckarhausen, Germany, and Maggie Swindle of Woodland. She also leaves behind Ricky Joe Kendall and Lisa Powell, and a host of family and friends.

In addition to her parents, Irene was preceded in death by her brothers, J.T., Edward, and Clinton, and sisters Myrdis Swindle, Quebell Swindle, and Mildred Bradley.

The family has requested that anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution to please forward those to the Tupelo Children's Mansion, 1801 E Main St., Tupelo, MS 38804 or Tupelo Children's Mansion

The family would also like to thank Pafford Ambulance Service, Baptist Home Health Care, Dr. Todd Treadgill, Marie, Karen, Demetria and Frenchie of Halcyon Hospice for your care and support.