Wava Lea Howell, 89, of Kirksville, Missouri, passed away Friday (November 15, 2013) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

The daughter of Willie Daniel and Beaulah Florence (Hayes) Simler, Wava Lea was born April 8, 1924, in Youngstown, Missouri. On October 5, 1941, Wava Lea was united in marriage to Billie Burke Howell, who preceded her in death on January 16, 2004.

Wava Lea is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Patricia and Dr. Richard G. Huff of Spring Lake, MI, and Debroah and Dr. Robert J. Fillion of Green Valley, AZ; three grandsons, Brett (Katie) Huff of Little Rock, AR, Robert Fillion of Ellsworth, KS, and Andrew (Colleen) Fillion of Scottsdale, AZ; two great grandchildren, Carter Burke Huff and Vivian Hughes Huff; one sister, Sandra Gramling of LaPlata, MO; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Sam and Diana Simler of St. Peters, MO and Billie D. and Margaret Simler of Kansas City, MO, and several nieces and nephews.

Wava Lea graduated from Kirksville High School with the Class of 1940. She retired from the Bank of Kirksville in 1986. She enjoyed living in the Kirksville area all of her life with many, many good friends that were the center of her everyday enjoyment. Her family was the heart, soul, and pride of her existence; she was the ultimate comfort and support to her entire family.

She was a member of the First Baptist Church of Kirksville.

Public visitation will be held Sunday (November 17, 2013) with family receiving friends from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Monday (November 18, 2013) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor David Gottman officiating. Interment will follow the service at Maple Hills Cemetery in Kirksville.

Pallbearers will be Brett Huff, Robert Fillion, Andrew Fillion, Scott Simler and Dan Simler.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Wava Lea may be made to First Baptist Church or to Hospice of Northeast Missouri. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.