Leta Howell

June 18, 2022

Leta Sue Lehew Howell, formerly of Terrell and lately of Arlington, passed away to join beloved family that has gone before her on June 18, 2022 after a courageous battle with cancer. Leta was born on May 5, 1941 to Frank and Marie Lehew in Terrell, Texas. She was greeted in Heaven by her parents, and her brother, James Frank Lehew who passed in 2021, step-father, who raised her, Orvel Flanagan and husband, Ron Upshaw. Growing up in Terrell, Leta had a wonderful outlook despite losing her father, Frank, at a young age. She graduated from Terrell High School in 1958 and then went on to graduate from Mary Hardin Baylor University with her Teaching Certificate in 1962. She lived in Lubbock teaching elementary school where her love of her students was a daily blessing to all she taught. Leta was a proud mother of two sons: Mark Alan Howell born in 1969 and Brian Edgar Howell born in 1971. Leta’s proudest accomplishment was raising them to be excellent examples of love and compassion to others. While the boys were young, she moved to Arlington in 1972 where she taught at various elementary schools as well as continued to raise her family in a home filled with love and laughter. In 1981, she made a career change to become a licensed Realtor and formed ERA Smith and Howell Real Estate where she once again had a personality to help others see a house with new eyes. Leta’s commitment to her clients enabled many dreams to come true for other families buying not just a house, but an actual home! She attended Second Baptist Church in Lubbock and Fielder Road Baptist Church in Arlington where she met many wonderful people who became just like family to her. Leta enjoyed local and national politics, all genres of music and any and all Cadillacs! Leta was able to marry her best friend, Ron Upshaw, and they had a wonderful relationship until his passing. A beautiful lady, inside and out, with a talent for making anyone feel instantly at ease in any environment, Leta will be so very missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her. She leaves her memory to be cherished by her sons: Mark Howell and Brian Howell and wife, Marla; her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren as well as treasured nieces, nephews, other extended family and a host of countless friends, clients, and, most importantly, students, all of whose lives she positively impacted! Leta’s funeral service will be at 1:00pm, Monday, June 27, 2022 at Max Slayton Funeral Chapel with interment to follow at Oakland Memorial Park. Her family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 pm to service time.