Laura Margaret (January) Howard

Laura Margaret Howard (nee January), affectionately known as Singie, went to be with the Lord on March 23, 2022, at 90 years of age, with her son Clarke Howard, granddaughter Caitlin Warpinski, daughter Laura Wheeler, and granddaughter Lynne Murphy by her side. She was the longest living of her 9 siblings.

Born on January 24, 1932, to Josephine Anna and William LeRoy January in Odenton, MD, she lived all of her life there, with the exception of her time in McHenry, MD with her life partner of 38 years, Robert (Bob) Robey. Known as “Sweet Sing” to her father in her younger years, she then became Singie to many people as she grew older. She was Granny to all children and friends of the kids’ wherever she went.

Singie was a bus driver extraordinaire for 36 years, carrying children all throughout the Anne Arundel County school system. She drove for RN Richardson, Inc., which became Smith Bus Company, beginning with a conventional bus and later moving to a flat nose, which she could handle like a boss. She participated in and placed highly in school bus rodeos. She was tough and could handle her “kids” on her bus, but also very loving to the ones she knew had a rough home life. She was the good luck charm, “Ms. Howard,” to the sports teams at Arundel High School and saw them to State championships in various sports in 1976. The highlight of her career was working with Coach Bernie Walters and others during the after-school sporting events. During Bob’s farming years, she was his sidekick and the super-seller working the local farmer’s markets. From strawberries, to flowers, to various vegetables, she was the produce queen. She was also a faithful member of the Gambrills Church of God in Gambrills, MD for many years.

Singie loved her family dearly. She was the beloved mother to 3 children, grandmother to 8 grandchildren, and great-grandmother to 8 great-grandchildren. She delighted in spending time with her youngest great-grandbaby, Autumn, in her last days, along with Facetime visits with her other precious great-grandchildren, Grayson, Caroline, and Nora. That made her very happy. Bob and Will (Willie) held a special place in her heart as well.

Her simple pleasures included Woman’s World magazine crossword puzzles, word search puzzles, listening to bluegrass music and the Gaithers, watching Hallmark movies, York peppermint patties, ice cream, drinking coffee on the deck while watching the local wildlife on the mountain, and seeing the skiers slide down the hill in McHenry, MD where she and Bob spent half of their time. She delighted in her cat “Pookie” and enjoyed having her sit on the radiator and give her “five” for treats.

She is predeceased by her mother Josephine Anna January, father William LeRoy January, brothers Charles, John, William, James, and Alfred, sisters Theresa and Mary Louise, daughter Alice Mae Hogeboom, and son-in-law Larry Wheeler.

Singie is survived by her son Clarke R. Howard, Jr, (Angela Howard), daughter Laura Ellen Wheeler, life partner Robert Robey (his son Will Robey), 8 grandchildren, and 8 great-grandchildren. She will be sorely missed by us all, and we look forward to the day when we see her again in Heaven.

Donations can be made to Gilchrist Hospice Center Howard County.

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