Betty Maxine Howard, 96, Little Rock, AR, formerly of Harrisonville, MO, passed away Friday, July 5, 2019 at Presbyterian Village Care Center in Little Rock.  A graveside service honoring her life was held on July 18, 2019 at Orient Cemetery in Harrisonville, MO.

On March 2, 1923 Betty Maxine was born to Roy and Florence Bragg Robertson (Toppy) in a Rosston, OK sod house. When she was a few months old, she moved to Holden, MO with her parents and older siblings, Forst and Lena.  They then moved to Harrisonville where she began first grade, continuing through high school.

After graduation, she married John Hambright Jr. (Jay) and moved to San Diego for over a year.  On return to Harrisonville, she gave birth to John Hambright III (Little Jay), who died an accidental death at an early age.  Two other children of that union are Gary Hambright (Jan) of Scottsdale, AZ and Debbie Jerome (Ken) of Little Rock, AR.

Betty returned to Oklahoma in 1969 to marry Robert Howard, and lived there for 34 years. They then moved to Edmond, OK.  After her husband's death in 2007, she moved to Little Rock, AR.

Her parents, her siblings, her husband, and her first son all predeceased her.  She leaves her children and also many grandchildren and great-grandchildren who referred to her affectionately as Grandma Betty.

What a long and full life she lived!  She was known for her superb cooking and hospitality while she was living at home.  Later, her joy of singing and laughter and reading brightened the days of many people, as well as herself. We are grateful for all of her days, sad at the loss of her loving presence, yet we rejoice in her going Home to be made whole at the feet of Jesus.