Sydney Morgan Howk

Sydney Morgan Howk

MS, CNM, WHNP-BC, ARNP

Beloved Wife, Mother, Daughter, Sister

Born into this world:  February 2, 1986

Called home to Heaven:  April 3, 2021

Sydney Howk was born in Dallas, Texas.  She graduated from Kaufman High School in May 2004.  Sydney married her first love, high school sweetheart, and love of her life Luis “Lou” Howk on December 30, 2006.  She earned her first college degree with honors, an Associate Degree in Applied Science, from Arizona Western College in Yuma, Arizona in May 2010.  Sydney often laughed with humility saying she earned her first degree by accident (long story).  Sydney went on to graduate Suma Cum Laude from Northern Arizona University (NAU) with a Bachelor of Science Degree, Majoring in Biology and Minoring in Chemistry, in May 2011.  In addition to graduating Suma Cum Laude from NAU with a 3.98 GPA, Sydney was a member of the Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society, a Golden Axe Awardee, and made the Dean’s List every semester during her undergraduate education.  Sydney decided to forego attending medical school to eventually be an OB/GYN shortly after her daughter Addyson was born in September 2011.  She said she did not want to miss the first eight years of her daughter’s life.  So, she trusted God’s plan for her life in serving women and children and followed His guidance.  Enjoying her new title in life, “Mommy,” God again blessed Sydney with her second child, her son Gunnar, who was born in February 2013.  With Gunnar only five months old, Addyson being 22 months old, and her husband deployed to Afghanistan, Sydney started a 12-month accelerated program to earn a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of South Alabama, completing the program in July 2014.  Additionally, Sydney was inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau, Honor Society of Nursing.  Upon graduating, Sydney worked as an RN/BSN at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center in Fort Walton Beach, FL and Sacred Heart Hospital on the Emerald Coast in Miramar Beach, FL. Continuing to trust God’s calling on her life, Sydney completed a dual-Master of Science Degree as a Certified Nurse Midwife and Woman’s Health Nurse Practitioner at Georgetown University, finishing the program in December 2017.  On January 23, 2018, just one week after passing her state boards as a Certified Nurse Midwife, Sydney was diagnosed with cancer.  A week later, doctors confirmed that she had Stage IV Adrenal Cortical Carcinoma and gave her approximately four to six months to live.  Sydney, never taking her eyes off Jesus and determined to be a testimony for Him rather than a tragedy of this world, continued trusting the Lord’s promises in her life and agreed to a “hail-mary” surgery on February 8, 2018.  Less than two months later, Sydney passed her state boards as a Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.  Sydney spent the rest of the summer in 2018 celebrating life with Lou, Addyson, and Gunnar.  In September 2018, just seven months after her surgery, God showed Sydney that her testimony was to continue with the fulfillment of His calling on her life to the service of women and children as she started working at Hennessey OB/GYN and delivering babies at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center (FWBMC).  Her time working with Dr. Hennessey, the staff at Hennessey OB/GYN, and amazing healthcare providers and staff at FWBMC was nothing short of a dream come true for Sydney.  Despite continuous cancer treatments and appointments, God’s strength in Sydney enabled her to persevere in her work and service to others all to His glory until January 14, 2021.  Sydney’s other contributions to the community include volunteering at the Hope Medical Clinic in Destin, Florida and with the High School Ministry at Crosspoint Church-Niceville Campus.  During her last three months of service to the Father, Sydney refused to take her eyes off Jesus, continued to Cry, Pray, Praise, and Repeat in faith with passion and love.  Sydney’s husband describes her ministry for God through her battle with cancer simply like this: “as in Hebrews 11, regarding incredible people of faith in God, the world was not worthy of her.”

Sydney Morgan Howk is survived by her husband Luis, daughter Addyson, and son Gunnar of Niceville, FL; mother Casandra Beldin of Niceville, FL; father Clifton Beldin of Miramar Beach, FL; grandmother Suzanne Presley of Niceville, FL; grandmother Glynda Tabraham of Dallas, TX; sister Kennedy Bengston of Niceville, FL; sister Chelsea Chambless of Tuscaloosa, AL; as well as her extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins – Missie Perrin, Kelsey Hathcock, Torre Hathcock, Cheri Beldin, Jenny Beldin, Kimberley Logsdon, Stefani Logsdon, Korban Logsdon, Abi Logsdon, Caiti Logsdon, Donald Wims, Danny Wims, Luke Wims, Jake Wims, and their families.  She is preceded in death by her grandfather William Presley and great grandmother Mary Coley.

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