Joy Belle Howell 85, of Madill, Oklahoma passed away Sunday, September 18, 2016 at her home in Madill.  She was born on March 9, 1931 in Linn, Oklahoma to the late Porter Lawrence Gilreath and Alma Alice Rushing Gilreath.  Joy was raised in the Madill area.  She lived in California for a short time before marriage and during WWII.  Joy married James Warren Howell on January 2, 1946 in Santa Ana, California and he preceded her in death on April 15, 1980.  She owned and operated Howell's Jewelry for many years and she was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic church in Madill.  Joy enjoyed cooking, buying groceries and helping the Hispanic and Madill Community.

She is survived by:

Children:                       Rita Pruitt and husband Mickey, Madill, Oklahoma

Grandson:                     Jayson Howell Pruitt, Carrollton, Texas

Daughter in-law:            Vicky Mahaney Howell, Aubrey, Texas

Brother:                        James Gilreath and wife Doris, Granite, Oklahoma

Sister:                           Treva James Weaver, Altus, Oklahoma

Bonnie Hennigan, Madill, Oklahoma

Joy was preceded in death by her parents, husband, 1 son; John W. Howell, 3 brothers; Norman, Raymond and Porter Gilreath, Jr., and 1 sister; Ema Ruth Howell.