Mary Etta Howard

Mary Etta Frazier Howard, born December 21st, 1934 in West Columbia, TX, passed away November 3rd, 2022, after a 17 year struggle with Alzheimer’s disease. She is survived by her loving husband, Walter Ray Howard, and two daughters, Arletta Howard Logan and Alicia Howard Wong. She was a doting grandmother to five grandchildren: Kenton Wong, Kianna Wong, Kamryn Wong, and Marianna Logan and Galadriel Logan.

A devout Christian who delighted in teaching, Mary touched the lives of children in both Sunday school and public schools throughout the majority of her life, becoming a principal and early childhood program director as her career advanced. Mary grew up in West Columbia and was a lifelong learner who studied biology and education at Stephen F. Austin University and completed her master’s degree in early childhood development at the University of Texas in 1971. Mary and Walt spent their working career in Texas, raising their daughters in Austin, and moving to Germantown, TN upon retirement in 2000. She enjoyed singing in the choir, and was a prolific seamstress and gardener, who shared a love for biology and botany and a sense of awe for nature with her family and friends. She was best known for her quick wit, humor, and an aura of warmth and love that everyone felt when she entered a room. Her amazing, beautiful marriage of 66 years to Walter Howard has served as a testament of true love to all who were privileged to witness.

A Celebration of Life service will take place for family and friends on Saturday, November 19th at 10:30am at The Village of Germantown. In lieu of flowers, we'd like to encourage contributions to The Ralph and Billie Howard Foundation, the Village of Germantown Foundation, or the Alzheimer's Association.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemphisFuneralGermantownParkway.com for the Howard family.