Meda Howell Stennett, 104, of Columbus, MS passed away Monday, December 23, 2019, at Trinity Health Care, Columbus, MS.

The family will hold a private memorial service. Interment will be in Oak Grove Baptist Church Cemetery, Mize, MS on Saturday, December 28, 2019, with Lowndes Funeral Home directing,

Mrs. Stennett was born August 30, 1915, in Smith County, MS to the late Patia King and George Carter Howell. She is the third of nine children. She has been a lifelong resident of Mississippi having lived in Petal, Hattiesburg, and Jackson. After graduating from high school, Meda graduated from Jones County College and attended cosmetology school. For several years she owned her own beauty shop. In 1935 she married Leon Hollis Stennett and within the next eight years had four little girls. She loved sewing and made all their clothes. Due to the stress of raising a family and owning her own business, Meda decided to give up her beauty shop. After staying at home for several years, she began working at Reliance Mfg. When her youngest daughter was nine years old, her only son, Jerry, was born.  In 1969 her husband passed away. After Jerry graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi, she and Jerry moved to Jackson where he completed medical school and she worked at University Hospital. She later worked at Dillard's Department Store until she retired in 1996. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Stennett is preceded in death by her husband- Leon Stennett; sisters- Mildred Whitaker, Norma Keller, Billie Stringer, and Mardell Cooley; brothers- George Howell, Jr, Ray Howell, and Joe Howell; children- Glenda Little, and Sammie Dorsch.

Mrs. Stennett is survived by her son- Jerry (Teresa) Stennett of Columbus, MS; daughters- Wanda Philley of Greenwood, MS and Mary Swain of Columbus, MS; grandchildren- Josh (Jessica) Stennett, Drew Stennett, Owen Stennett, Laura Stennett, Will Stennett, Scott (Rebecca)Swain, Holly (Kelly) Trippett, Jay (Sue) Philly, Roxanna (Greg) Dees, Darren (Casey) Dorsch, Libby (John) Edmonds, and Brent (Kelli)Dorsch; great-grandchildren-Coleman (Katie) Swain, Mary Margaret Swain, Seth Swain, Chaz Farrar, Conner Farrar, Jana Dees, Adelyn Stennett, Sophia Stennett, Lauren Edmonds, Lawson Edmonds, Samantha Dorsch, Joanna Dorsch, Jordan Dorsch, Maunica Dorsch; great-great-grandchild-Ridge Swain; sister- Reba Robinson.