Tootsie Howard (11-1-14)

Mary Elizabeth”Tootsie” Crotts Howard of Clifton, departed this life on Nov. 1, at the age of 94 years, 7 months.
She was born March 31, 1920, in Savannah, the daughter of the late Gaines and Amy Porter Crotts.
She was united in marriage on June 17, 1936, to W.S. Howard Jr. of Clifton, who preceded her in death. In additon to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Arthur Eugene Crotts.
She is survived by her sons, Bill and wife Ruth Ann of Clifton, Gene and wife Janet of Bath Springs and Don of Clifton; granchildren, William Howard IV and wife Missy of Gadsden, Alabama, Lisa Howard Garrison and husband Darrell of Clifton, Kimberly Cooksey Williams and husband Tommy of Savannah, Sunnie Sweeney of Bath Springs and Jessica Sweeney of Adamsville; great-grandchildren, Seth, Zach and Hunter Garrison, Sam Howard V, Zachery and Savannah Eades and Ryan Sweeney; and great-great-grandson, Briar Garrison.
W.S. and “Miss Tootsie” owned and operated Howard’s Grocery store in Clifton for many years.
“Miss Tootsie” was active in the community, a member of U.D.C. Shiloh Chapter 371 for 72 years and a member of O.E.S. Clifton Chapter 355 for 75 years. She was a member of Methodist Church in Clifton.
She was a talented artist and enjoyed giving her paintings to family and friends. She was active in arts and crafts for the first Horseshoe Riverbend Festival. As a teenager she was an accomplished dancer and was crowned “Miss Savannah” in 1935.
She was loved by many and will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at a later date.