Icephene Howell, 96, of Beckville, Texas, passed away on Thursday night, February 8, 2024, in Carthage. Icephene Rodgers was born on December 28, 1927 in Beckville, Texas to the late John W. and Emma Oxford Rodgers. She was the oldest living graduate of Beckville High School, having graduated with the class of 1945. She later attended business college in Tyler. Icephene married Readus Byron "Bouncer" Howell on December 6, 1947, in Beckville, and he preceded her in death on May 21, 1990. She was of the Methodist faith and was member of Rockhill Methodist Church. Icephene worked in security for the Texas Employment Commission until her retirement. She also volunteered at the Texas State Penitentiary while living in Huntsville, Texas. Icephene loved music, especially gospel, and enjoyed singing at local nursing homes with the Pitt Singers. Some of her favorite hobbies were reading, crossword puzzles, and playing dominoes. She was also preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters.

Icephene is survived by her niece, Emma Blakemon and nephews, Roger Porter and wife Regina and Roland Lampin and wife Stephanie. Numerous other nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, and friends also survive.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2024, at Jimerson-Lipsey Funeral Home Chapel with Mike Wilson, Bob Scott, and Macky Buchanan officiating. Interment will follow in Langley Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home prior to the service.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to Hospice of East Texas for the loving care shown to Mrs. Howell.

Memorials may be made to Langley Cemetery Assn., c/o Jamie Dailey, 165 CR 286, Beckville, Texas 75631 or to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, Texas 75701.

A guestbook may be signed online at www.jimerson-lipsey.com.