Louise Hill Howard passed away peacefully on September 9, 2020, after a courageous battle with congestive heart failure. Her loving son was by her side. She was born in Franklin County to Walsie and Missouri Hill and was the first of six children. Louise had a passion for learning, achieving Valedictorian honors of Tharpe Town Junior High School in 1942 and shining as a member of Russellville High School’s Class of 1946. She later matriculated at Larimore Business College in Florence, Alabama where she received her secretarial and business degree, an especially impressive accomplishment in the era.
Soon after, she met and married the love of her life, Joe Thomas Howard from New Hope, Alabama, and the two were inseparable in life and as co-owners of Howard’s General Merchandise store. They both retired from the store in 1997 following 46 years of dedicated operation and service to their community. Joe went to be with the Lord on June 7, 2002. Louise’s love for Joe never waned, and she continued her life with a smile as a devoted mother, grandmother, friend, and contributor to her community.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Joe Vann Howard, brother Ray Hill, and sister Mildred Brittnel. Louise is survived by her son John Lee Howard (wife Kay) of New Hope, four grandchildren Joe Vann Howard Jr (wife Jaquline) and Jessey Graves (husband Jeff) of Huntsville, Alabama, John Howard of San Francisco, California, and Jennifer Merry (husband Bryan) of Charleston, South Carolina, seven great grandchildren, brothers Robert Hill (wife Betty) and O’Neil Hill (wife Linda), and sister Betty Holland.
A private graveside service for the family is planned.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Furget Me Not Animal Rescue at 1575 Jordan Road, Huntsville, Alabama 35811 (fmnanimalrescue.org) or your favorite charity.
The family would especially like to thank Lauren Justice of Kindred Hospice Care for taking such great care of our granny. We would also like to thank Tiffany Hodges, Joan Price, Irais Sosa and Derry Smith of Home Instead Health Care. You have all become family to us.
