Bruce Bickham

Sidnie Bittler Howell obituary

Mother Howell was born 11-23-1855 and died 8-10-1903 according to the back of the photo. I have a few pictures of her children Gurn and Ida as well. My mother referred to them as Uncle Gurn and Aunt Ida. My grandmother Howell was an Earl and I have not made many connections on the Howell side. If this is the Sidnie you were looking for I probably have a little more information for you.

Grandma Howell rode with Audrey to deliver Betty Jane Howell to a ship in San Francisco, headed for China. Grandma was the wife of Alva Alexander Howell and we have never had any information about him. Alvah died before I was born and it would appear that he may have left my Grandmother before he died. It is fairly unanimous that my grandmother was quite a busybody and a solid battle-axe as well so it is possible my parents knew more than they were letting on. At any rate, my nephew is named Alvah after his great grandfather. If you have info it would be fun.

In 1940 my mother, Betty Bickham, returned from China with Kitty Funk. They went through India on the way and had an audience with Mahatma Ghandi. I have never been able to find out anything about Kitty. My mother always spoke fondly of her but they didn't appear to stay in touch by the time I was born in 1951.