Ellis Howard Yarbrough, age 88, a long-time resident of Huntsville, Alabama died on 11 August 2026 while in the loving care of his doctors and nurses.
Howard was the son of Ellis Odell Yarber (Yarbrough) and Amy Blanch Crawford. He was the husband of Martha Brown Yarbrough, and they travelled many paths together in their 68 years of marriage in support of one another.
Howard never met a stranger. He loved talking with people of all walks of life. Howard was hard-working and honest, valuing these attributes from an early point in life working on the farm and in the family store. At age 14, he learned to drive by operating a ‘peddling truck’.
As a teen, Howard had his name legally changed from ‘Yarber’ to ‘Yarbrough’. A teacher (Mrs. Alma Bonner) pointed out that he was not spelling his name properly and that he could look to his great-grandfather, George Washington Yarbrough, as the proper and traditional example. Howard was never afraid to go his own way in life.
As a young adult and forward, Howard worked many jobs (bicycle factory, photography, etc.), but he was most fond of his time at the Ragland Brothers Company where he developed long and lasting friendships within the Ragland family as well as with other co-workers. In retirement, Howard moved cars for the Ray Pearman Company enjoying the camaraderie (including Cracker Barrel breakfasts) with Gary and others.
Howard is survived by his wife, Martha; their son, Kevin; a loving daughter-in-law, Karen (Reinartz) Yarbrough; grandsons, David Troutman and Joshua Ellis Yarbrough and wife, Drew Hartt Yarbrough. There are grandchildren which he adored.
Howard, being the youngest child, had three doting sisters (Thelma, Ossie and Nell) – all were exceptional cooks and spoiled him with treats like hot buttered biscuits served with chocolate gravy. All family members from the extended Yarbrough, Brown, Reinartz and Hartt families were dear to him, and he often shared memories of those both past and present.
Howard’s remains will be taken to the cemetery in Bonnertown, Tennessee. Memorial service details will be shared by the family later.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to memorialize Howard are encouraged to donate to the Land Trust of North Alabama (https://landtrustalliance.org/land-trusts/explore/land-trust-of-north-alabama-al) or a charity of their choice.
