Sheila Reyna Howze

Sheila Reyna Howze, 64, of Waterloo, died Thursday, February 27, 2025, while a patient at University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City. She was born on August 12, 1960, in Grove Hill, AL, the daughter of John and Bertha Smith Howze. Sheila attended high school at West High in Waterloo, where she was a member of the Track and Field Team. Sheila worked various jobs over the years; her most recent position spoke to the true nature of Sheila; helping others. As a Home Health Care Aide, she assisted her clients offering unconditional, compassionate care and friendship. Sheila was blessed with four children; they were the lights of her world. She loved her children and always supported them unconditionally.

Sheila was a caring mother, sister, grandmother and friend. Sheila always enjoyed a good laugh and loved to have fun. She was a conversationalist that was always willing to offer a listening ear or some well-constructed advice; always, always with love. Sheila's love language was food; she often bonded with people over food. She was a true cook; she had a knack for taking a recipe and making it extraordinary. Sheila enjoyed being in the kitchen and preparing food for those she loved; but even more, she loved when you took that first bite of something she'd prepared. The enjoyment of others eating food she prepared was all she needed; and made the time she spent in the kitchen well worth it. She had a spitfire personality but was a realist at the same time. Sheila was strong in her faith and was not afraid of tomorrow. In her last days, Sheila's focus was on preparing her loved ones for goodbye. She called family to say, "I love you" and told them to "not wait to call on the Lord". Sheila was a person of many levels; and each level included a healthy dose of patience and love. Sheila will forever remain in the hearts of those who loved her. Fly high our Angel until we meet again.

Sheila is survived by her children, Dimitri Howze of Waterloo, Shanekia (Gadeeayl Carter) Howze of Tempe, AZ, Amber Howze of Cedar Rapids, and Brittany Howze of Waterloo; 11 grandchildren with one on the way; and siblings Charles (Gemma) Howze of Omaha, Reginald Howze of Coffeeville, AL, Janet Elaine (Bernard) Brown of Monroe, NC, Steven (Christie Shaw) Howze of Ft. Worth, TX, Rodney (Tameca) Howze of Newton and John Howze Jr. of Waterloo. She was preceded in death by her parents, brother Greg, and grandchildren Maleeya Stovall and Gabriel Carter.

Services for Sheila will be Monday, March 10, 2025, at 11:00 AM at Crystal Cathedral of Faith Church, 3040 Hammond Ave., Waterloo, with visitation from 9:30 to 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Garden of Memories Cemetery. Memorial contributions should be directed to the family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.lockefuneralservices.com.