Clara Julia Howard

Clara Julia (Camp) Howard, age 87, passed away at the Silver Pines Nursing Center on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, in Bastrop, Texas. She was born June 16, 1935, to Carl and Arna (Garlaska) Camp in Galveston, Texas. Carl was a seaman for Texaco oil company. Arna descended from one of the earliest Polish settlements in Texas, St. Hedwigs. Clara's father died at sea when she was four years old, and Clara was raised by her maternal grandmother, Clara Julia (Dylla) Garlaska, in Beaumont, Texas. She attended the Catholic school system there and graduated from St. Annes. After graduation, she returned to Galveston and worked for American National Insurance Company. In Galveston, she met her husband Richard Warren Styles. After their marriage on August 5, 1956, they moved to Houston where their son, Richard, was born.
On May 2, 1963, she married Marvin Warren Howard. They made their home together in Texas City, Texas, where Clara lived most of her life. To their union, a daughter, Marlene, was born. Clara had a long career in insurance billing, specifically physician's billing. She worked first for the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, and later for the University of Texas Health Science Center in Houston. She retired from the University of Texas System, but at their request, she returned for a few more years post-retirement. Clara was skilled in her role and helped mentor many of the younger employees.

Marvin and Clara took many driving and camping trips throughout Texas and the United States with their children. These were some of her fondest memories. After Marvin died in 1990 and her "second" retirement, she enjoyed walking the mall, dancing, and spending time with her granddaughters and great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by her parents and her sister Margaret Hilbert. She is survived by her son Richard Warren Howard and his wife, Holly Marie, of Bastrop, Texas, and daughter Marlene Yvette Howard of Gibsonton, Florida, granddaughter Melissa Moy, and great-grandchildren Madlynn Elaine Moy and Macie Renee Moy, all of Texas City, Texas. She is also survived by her sister Marie and her husband David Etzel of League City, Texas.

Clara was a strong woman with an equally strong faith in God. She was a member of the Queen of Peace Catholic Church in La Marque, Texas. As her health failed, Clara moved to Bastrop, Texas to be close to her son. Clara's family would like to thank the staff at Silver Pines Nursing Center and Gracia Hospice for the compassionate care they provided to her while she was a resident there.

Graveside service for Clara will be held Tuesday October 18th at 10 a.m. at Forest Park East Cemetery, Garden of Tranquility, 21620 Gulf Freeway, Webster, Texas 77598. The service will be open to all family and friends. In place of flowers, donations may be made to Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 1224 Cedar Drive, La Marque, Texas, 77568.