Obituary for Tracy Lynn Shirley Howell

MS. TRACY LYNN SHIRLEY HOWELL, age 58, of Eastman, Georgia, died Saturday, May 7, 2022, at Augusta University Medical Center.

Memorial services will be held at 5:00PM Monday, May 9, at Eastside Baptist Church in Eastman, Georgia, with Rev. Myron Parkerson officiating.

Tracy was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1963 at Tucson Medical Center. Her family was then stationed at Davis Monthan Air Force Base. At age three, she moved with her military family to Moody AFB in Valdosta, Georgia, and after her father finished a tour of duty in Vietnam, the family returned to Davis Monthan AFB before moving to Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota in 1970. Her father, Albert H. Shirley, retired from the United States Air Force in 1974 and moved the family to Adel, Georgia. Tracy attended Cook County High School before marrying Greg Howell of Eastman, and moved to Ridgecrest, California, where she attended Mesquite High School. Tracy’s first child was born in California before she moved back to Adel, Georgia, where she worked as a cook at Day’s Diner with her mother for a few years. She later moved to Eastman, Georgia, to be near her family and went to work at Shorty’s Quik Stop as a cook before working at B.C. Moore’s as a store clerk. In the early 2000’s, she worked at Lolly’s Pre-Kindergarten continuing her career as a cook but this time for a much younger customer base, including her grandson, Cameron. She later managed the Cantina at Gilman Paper Products, where she worked with her mother, Imogene, and daughter, Amy, for several years. She then wrapped up her professional working career at Moore’s Department Store, later known as Peebles Department Store in Eastman.

Tracy loved taking care of her dogs, Alphie and Max, as well as many “fur babies” over the years. She enjoyed reading and watching crime dramas and horror films. Tracy loved trips to the mountains and beach and enjoyed making other people laugh. Fishing, singing old country and folk songs, and crocheting were some of her passions, and she especially enjoyed spending time with her family, including her mother, siblings, children, and grandchildren and also spending time with her Larry on their porch swinging and listening to music. She always enjoyed traveling during her life. Tracy had a profound love of nature and connected with it deeply.

She was preceded in death by her husband, James Nicky Hickman; father, Albert Horace Shirley; former husband, Greg Howell; stepfather, Aaron H. Babb; and a sister, Renee Shirley Cannington.

She is survived by her two daughters – Amy Howell Mullis (Jason) and Amber Howell Horne, both of Eastman; five grandchildren – Michaela Mullis, Cameron Mullis, Jenna Kate Mullis, Gabriel Horne, and Raegan Horne; mother – Imogene Brooks Shirley-Babb of Eastman; companion – Larry Hobbs of Eastman; two step-children – Jennifer Hobbs and Dwayne Hobbs, both of Eastman; sister – Robin Simmons-Pescara (Gerry) of Adel; brother – Terry Shirley (Candria) of Moultrie; brother-in-law – Ray Cannington of Lenox; nieces and nephews – Rebecca Taylor (Aaron), Serina Taylor (Nick), Sarah Shirley, Melvin Simmons (Jamie), Aaron Shirley, Chris Cannington (Brittani), and Chrystal Jarvis (Cory); and many beloved great nieces and nephews.

The family may be contacted at the residence of Jason and Amy Mullis, 1340 Dublin Hwy., Eastman, and will receive friends at Eastside Baptist Church from 4:30PM-5:00PM Monday, May 9. In addition to flowers, contributions can be made to Faithful Hearts Animal Shelter, 77 Industrial Blvd, Eastman, GA, 31023.