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Lima— Shirley (Smith) Howard, age 96, passed into the arms of Jesus on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, at 7:20 pm, in Kindred Hospital Lima.

She was born December 21, 1927, in Decoy, KY, to Chester and Tennie (Messer) Smith who preceded her in death. On December 16, 1944, she married Willie “Bill” Howard who preceded her in death on September 7, 2008.

Surviving are their children:  Rev. H. Lloyd (Joan) Howard of Landrum, SC, Ruth (H. dec.) Robinson of Charleston, SC, Ruby (Howard) Clark, Bill (dec) & Deborah Howard of Landrum, SC and Pamela (David) LeMar-Neidhardt both of Lima, OH; brothers, Truman (Susan) Smith of Waynesfield, OH, and Kirby (Ruth) Smith of Dayton, OH; grandchildren: Andy Howard, Joshua (dec) Howard and Jay (Erin) Howard, Keith (Jennifer) Robinson, Rodney Howard, Kayla Hines, Thomas (Emily) Howard, Jacob Howard, Justin (Kristen) Howard, Jennifer (Brian) Schlosser, Eric (Raenette) Neidhardt, Andrew Neidhardt, 17 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by nine siblings: Hirley Smith, Birley Smith, Mirly Miller, Crady Smith, Joyce Ritchie, Leottis Smith, Barbara McDonald, and Hobart Smith.

Shirley was a member of Midway Baptist Church, Columbus, NC. She was a gifted quilter, wrote poetry, was a self-taught musician and songwriter, and loved to garden.

Visitation will be on Sunday, February 4th, 2024, from 2:00-6:00 p.m. at the Shawnee Chapel of Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services and again on Monday, February 5, 2024, from 2:00 until the time of the service.   Services will be held directly after visitation at 3:00 p.m., with Rev. Don Webb officiating.

Family burial will be in Evergreen Memorial Gardens, Landrum, SC on at 1:00 p.m., on Thursday, February 8, 2024, with Rev. H. Lloyd Howard officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Midway Baptist Church, P.O. Box 679, Columbus, NC 28722, or the American Heart Association.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.

Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services
Lima, OH