Shirley Inez Black-Howell

Shirley Inez Black-Howell

Shirley Inez Black-Howell, 62, died surrounded by family on June 6, 2015.   She was born July 22, 1952, to James Simon and the late Lenora Wilburn.  She was raised by her Aunt and Uncle, Missionary Inez Davis and Pastor Robert Davis, both deceased.  She was educated through the Portland Public School System at Highland Grade School and Grant High School.  In April 2007, she married Sam Howell.

In 1990, along with her sisters, Tina and Rose and her son, Anthony, she opened the Happy Bear Daycare Center on 30 ^th and Ainsworth.  They later expanded to their current location on 43 ^rd and Killingsworth.  She worked tirelessly at the daycare and was devoted to its success.  Shirley will be remembered for her compassion and love for children.

Shirley had an elegant sense of style and enjoyed dressing up and wearing her hats!  She loved shopping, jazz and trips to the beach.  She had a great sense of humor, was popular, well-liked and much loved.  Her presence will be missed not only by her family but her daycare “family” as well.

Shirley is preceded in death by her brothers; Richard Wilburn, Thomas Wilburn, James “Frost” Wilburn and Takeba Davis and sister; Ethel “Tina” Arnold.

Cherishing her memory is her husband, Sam Howell; children, Denorval “Ray” Wilburn, Anthony Ramsey, Troy Ramsey of Portland, Shontiel Black-Fox of Long Beach, California; sisters, Rose Kelsaw, Deborah Robinson and Molly Hartman, all of Portland and Joyce Finegold of Inglewood, California; 15 grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.