Senovia Jean Howse

Senovia Jean Howse (Haskins) loving sister and aunt transitioned peacefully on May 6, 2024, at the age of 73. She was born in Kansas City, Kansas, grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and was a 1969 graduate of Paseo High School.

Senovia attended Texas Southern University in Houston, Texas and graduated from Central Missouri State University with a Bachelor’s in Home Economics and Business. This degree was utilized in early career professional roles as a sales and marketing manager with Del Monte and later as home economics and cooking consultant with the KC Gas Service Company. She held other positions with the City of Kansas City Health Department and United States Department of Homeland Security. After retirement, as a substitute teacher, she taught elementary, middle and high school students in the Kansas City, Missouri and Raytown Public School systems.

She married her high school sweetheart, the late Gerald (Jerry) Howse in 1971. There were no children born of this union. However, she became a doting mother to countless children of both family and friends throughout her life. Her loving and giving nature resulted in many deeply connected and long-lasting friendships.

During her high school years she was a gifted seamstress often making fashionable outfits for her and her sister, Rosetta. At that time, based on her style and sense of fashion she was chosen to model and represent teens on Macy’s Teen Fashion Board. Senovia was a member of the Del Sprites an organization founded by the late Inez Kaiser to assist black women in pursuing higher education. Also, she was presented at the 1968 Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. Debutante Ball.

Ms. Howse was a member of St. James United Methodist Church and attended regularly until she became homebound due to illness. Her volunteer activities included the St. James Loaves & Fishes food pantry as well as the Church Alter Guild. She valued her congregation and the many friendships developed there and sustained during her lifetime.

She was an amazingly caring, giving and generous sister and aunt. She will not be forgotten.

Senovia is survived by her sister, Rosetta Robins, PhD, JD and her husband, Douglass W. Robins of the City and her nephew, Brandon Geoffrey Robins of New York, NY. Also, mourning her passing are numerous relatives including her aunts– Carole Ann Duncan, Patricia Duncan, Deborah Duncan, Jocelyn McField and Linda Duncan. Her husband, Gerald Howse; mother, Norma Scott; and father, George Haskins preceded her in death.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the St. James Church, 5540 Wayne, Kansas City, Missouri.