Jeanne Ruth Marshall Howard

Jeanne R. Howard, 78, of Evansville, passed away Wednesday June 29, 2011, at her home and in the company of loved ones. Mrs. Howard lived in Evansville her entire life with the exception of a brief time living in Mobile, AL and Southern Texas. As a newlywed, she traveled with her husband, Bobby Howard, to the Southern US during the start up of the first of many construction and home improvement family owned businesses. Mrs. Howard was a graduate of Bosse High School (Class of 1942) and Lockyear Business School. Her career included work as a legal assistant before she became a housewife raising her two sons, Robert and Anthony. She spent several years working in the food service department with Deaconess Hospital before becoming a nanny for a select group of families in Evansville. Her years as a nanny were her most favorite and rewarding. She was a friend and second mother to many. Our home was open to everyone and her laughter and kind spirit touched us all. Mrs. Howard was a dedicated fan of NBA basketball for the past 32 years – originating with her favorite basketball player, Larry Bird. Her favorite basketball coach remains Coach Bobby Knight. She is survived by her son, Robert Howard and loving daughter-in-law, Sara Harrison Howard, residing in Nyon, Switzerland and only grandchild, Anthony Howard, a second year student of Thomas Cooley Law School in Grand Rapids, MI. She is also survived by her favorite pet – friend, Mr. Fritter, Cairn Terrier, who is kept by his owners in Switzerland; sister, Betty Gardner; nephews, Bill Gardner and Fred Howard; sister-in-law, Mary Jane Rhodes; and nieces, Karyn Howard, Carol Compton and Sherri Howard, all of Evansville. Mrs. Howard was preceded in death by her husband, Bobby Howard, in 1965; her father, James “Bud” Marshall, in 1965; her youngest son, Anthony Howard, in 1981; her mother, Edna Marshall, in 2002; and step-father, Wilbur Garman, in 2003. We celebrate her life and will miss her deeply but find solace in knowing that she accepted Christ as her lord and savior. Services will be 1:00 PM Sunday, July 3, 2011, at Alexander East Chapel, officiated by Rev. Jeff Stratton, with burial in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may visit Saturday from 2:00 to 8:00 PM at the funeral home. The family asks that in lieu of flowers to instead please make contributions to the Evansville Christian Life Center.