Betty Jo Cannon Howard, 90, of Keller, Texas, passed from this life to be with the Lord on June 26, 2023. We rejoice that she is reunited with her beloved husband, Norman Robert Howard, who departed this life in 2010. Visitation will be on June 30 from 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. at Kilpatrick Funeral Home, 1200 Lamy Lane in Monroe, Louisiana. A graveside service will follow at 11:30 at Start Cemetery in Start, Louisiana.
Betty was born to Joseph Aaron Cannon and Cora Bell Royals Cannon on September 4, 1932, in Mangham, Louisiana. At the age of 17, Betty married Norman in 1950, and the newlyweds initially made a living farming the land and building a life together in rural northeast Louisiana.
Betty and Norman moved to Ruston, Louisiana, where Betty gave birth to a daughter, Mona Gayle. The young family then moved to Vidalia, Louisiana, where Norman was a route salesman. Betty worked at Riverside Cleaners for many years until she and Norman bought the dry-cleaning business. The Howards raised their daughter and built a thriving business in Vidalia. In 1983, they retired to Norman’s family home on Hearne Island at Davis Lake, near Columbia, Louisiana. After a brief period, Betty and Norman came out of retirement and purchased the Corey Community Store at the Corey Cotton Gin, which they operated for several years, until they retired a second time. This second retirement provided them with many years of enjoying fishing, hunting, tending a large vegetable garden, hosting family gatherings, and playing with their grandchildren.
In 2014, Betty moved to Keller, Texas to live with her daughter and son-in-law. In Keller, Betty enjoyed a rich family life, participating in birthday parties, weddings, holidays, and other family gatherings, fish-fries, and barbecues. But nothing brought her more happiness than spending time with and getting hugs from her grandchildren and great grandchildren—who lovingly call her Grandma.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; her siblings Mary Augusta Gilley, Crissler J. Cannon, J.A. Cannon, Lucy Dear, Alton “Bill” Cannon, and John Cannon.
To cherish her memory, Betty leaves her daughter, Mona Miller (David) of Keller; grandchildren, Bennett Miller (Katie) of Fort Worth; Stuart Miller (Ansley) of Frisco; Grace Miller Glausier (Bradley) of Fort Worth; five great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family is grateful for the support of extended family and friends, both near and away, during Betty’s last months. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials be directed to Bellview Baptist Church (P.O. Box 147, Columbia, LA 71418) or to the charity of one’s choice.

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