Samuel Arthur Howard (Sammie), 88, born June 30, 1929, in Jena, Louisiana, departed his life on July 6, 2017, at UAB NICU, Birmingham, Alabama. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Roosevelt and Annie Howard-Williams; three brothers; two sisters; a son, Jim Howard; and one daughter, Sharon Ann Howard.
The celebration of life will be held on Saturday, July 15, 2017, at Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Florence, Alabama, at 11 a.m. Mr. Howard’s viewing will be held Friday, July 14, at Thompson and Son Funeral Home, Florence, Alabama, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
He joins in heaven his loving wife of 54 years, Shirley T. Howard.
Mr. Howard leaves to cherish his memories one daughter from this union, Sherry Howard (Ed) Key Jr., of Birmingham metro area, and their children Aleisha J. Key, of Tampa, Florida, Marcus D. Key, of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Jerrell Key, of Birmingham metro area; daughters, Loretta (Wiley) Dean, Jena, Louisiana, and Debra (Ron) Johnson, Dayton Ohio; sons, Sam Howard and David (Sheila) Howard, all of Jena, Louisiana; two sisters, Rosemary Howard, of Shreveport, Louisiana, and Clara L. Bishop, of Detroit, Michigan; four brothers, Alex Williams (Gladys), of Shreveport, Louisiana, Nathaniel Williams (Emma), of Detroit, Michigan, Huey P. Williams, of Tenaha, Texas, and Clay Williams, of Tenaha, Texas; a dear and special God family of Florence, the Irons’; special caregiver, Diana McConnico, of Bessemer, Alabama; 23 grandchildren; 81 great-great-children; ten great-great-great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.
