Tessa Sheree (Hill) Howard

Tessa Sheree (Hill) Howard, Newalla resident, passed away on Saturday, March 6, 2021, in Newalla, OK, at the age of 47.  Tessa was born on January 23, 1974 in Lawton, OK to Don Hill and Bernice Benefield Hardy.  She grew up in Oklahoma City and spent a lot of her time in Little Axe.

Tessa married Phillip Howard on July 18, 1985.  She enjoyed arts and crafts, riding motorcycles and four wheelers, going on vacation, karaoke and doing nails.  She loved her grandchildren.  Tessa enjoyed spending time at her swimming pool.

Tessa was a loving woman and one of the strongest women her family and friends knew.   She loved adventures and having a good time.  Tessa loved everyone especially her grandkids and nieces and nephews.  She loved being a mom.  Tessa loved having her sisters and all of her family around and together.  She loved cooking out, swimming and listening to music and enjoying everyone’s company.  She always told everyone she loved them even if she didn’t know them.  Tessa saw everyone’s soul.  She was a firm believer in God and held a great love for everyone.

Tessa is survived by her husband, Phillip Howard; daughters, Tesha Howard and Tatyana Marks; mother, Bernice Benefield; brother, Randole Hill; sisters, Jalena Murphy-Hunter, Felicha Hill, Shawana Hill, Rosie Duke, Larue Benefield and Larena Benefield; 14 grandchildren, Ava Rosales, Ethan Rosales, Madisyn Rosales, Kaiden Jackson, Jason Aguilera, Della Aguilera, Felipa Aguilera, Derrick Smith, Rylie Smith, Robbie Smith, Zayn Smith, Abbie Martinez, Zadrien Martinez, Elisa Martinez; nieces and nephews, Nowell Aguilera, Phillip Aguilera, Vicente Aguilera, Veronica Martinez, Brittany Oliver, Anthony Eckles, Ashley Eckles, Aleah Wood, Sasha Murphy, Shawana Murphy and Jasmine Craig and many other family and friends.

Tessa was preceded in death by her sons, Justin Howard and Nathan Howard; father, Don Hill; nephews, Robert Murphy Jr. and William Eslick Murphy.

Casket bearers will be Phillip Howard, Luis Rosale, Ponche Soliz, Zadrien Martinez, Isaiah Soliz, Alfredo Alverza and Ronnie Riggs.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at Sand Creek Eufaula Baptist Church in Wewoka, OK with funeral services on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 2:00 PM with Houston Tiger officiating.  Cremation will follow.  Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole, OK.