Bessie Flinn Howard

Bessie Flinn Howard, 104, of Columbus, GA, passed into the keeping of her Lord on February 26, 2012, at her home surrounded by family.

Mrs. Howard, a life long local resident, was born in Tallapoosa County, AL. She was a member of Central Baptist Church, Phenix City, AL, for over 75 years. She retired from Snow's Cleaners at Cross Country Shopping Center.

Funeral services will be held Wednesday Feb. 29th at 2:00 pm EST at Central Baptist Church in Phenix City, AL with her grandsons, Reverend S. Russell Howard and Pastor Albert O. Howard III, officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church, according to Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, Phenix City, AL. Interment at Girard Cemetery will be private.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Albert O. “Hawk” Howard, her parents, Charles L. Flinn and Maude Robertson Webster Flinn, one infant child, and her siblings Jehu Flinn, Kate Flinn Gallman, Harry Flinn, Alphia Webster Guthrie, Ellen Flinn Harris, Charles John Flinn, Daphine Flinn Parker, Katie Maude Flinn Byrd, Frances Flinn Jackson, and Thelma Flinn Bazemore.

She is survived by three children: Betty Ann Howard Hilliard (James C. Hilliard) of Elizabethtown, KY, Albert O. Howard, Jr. (Melanie Parkman Howard) of Seale, AL, and Martha Mae Howard LeMaire of Phenix City, AL.; by seven grandchildren: J. Clark Hilliard, Jr. (Lori) of Delavan, WI, David Hilliard (Joslyn) of Gainesville, Georgia, Susan Hilliard Adair (Andrew) of West Des Moines, Iowa, Madison Lewis Howard (Rhonda) of Wilmington, NC, Albert O. Howard III (Josefina) of Dallas, TX, Stephen Russell Howard (Jodi) of Cape Hatteras, NC, and Harold Albert LeMaire (Maybelle) of Cabot, Arkansas; nineteen great-grandchildren; five great-great grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and special devoted friend Mrs. Agnes D. Phipps.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Columbus Hospice, 7020 Moon Road Columbus, GA 31907 or to Central Baptist Church 1407 Broad Street Phenix City, AL 36867.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Columbus Hospice and Dr. James Zumstein for their care of our Mother.

To offer condolences, please visit www.shphenixcity.com