Maria Howell

Maria G. Cortez Howell, age 91, of Fleming Island, Florida died March 16, 2021 at Orange Park Hospital.  She was born in 1929 to Salvos and Florencia Cortez in Brownsville, Texas.

She was an entrepreneur who owned and operated the following businesses in Orange Park and Fleming Island: the Stork Club (maternity store), a catering business, and a cleaning service.  She  was also a contract worker at Naval Air Station Jacksonville.  Maria loved to cook and her family’s favorites included her pound cake, chicken salad, chicken fried rice, and chocolate delight.  She had a green thumb and her flower beds were always beautiful.  She loved to be outdoors in the sunshine.  She was a big fan of the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Florida Gators.

Maria is survived by her children (and their spouses):  Phyllis Cowen Hendrix (Spencer), George Cowen (Connie), Maria Rogers (Steve), Edwin Robert Bergeron (Miriam), and Charlotte Glenda Howell.  Charlotte was also Mom’s primary caregiver the last few years.

Grandchildren:  Paul Burns, Jr., Sergio Reduga, Amanda Hendrix, Jamie Cowen, Brittany Cowen, Eric Alexander, Jr., and Olivia Moore-Rogers.  Great-Grandchildren:  Morgan, Gentry, Kaitlyn, Austin, and Chanel.

Maria was preceded in death by her husband, Charles G. “Chuck” Howell, and her son, Alan Shepard Cowen.

Graveside services will be at Magnolia Cemetery in Orange Park, Florida on March 29, 2021 at 1:00 PM.  Family visitation will be graveside at noon. Guerry Funeral Home, U.S. 90 E., Macclenny, FL has been entrusted with the funeral services. Please visit our website, www.guerryfuneralhome.net, to leave condolences for the family.