Thomas Monroe Howard, Jr.

Thomas Monroe Howard, Jr., 86, of Marion went to be with his Lord and Savior on the evening of Wednesday, December 28, 2022.

Thomas is preceded in death by his parents Thomas Monroe Howard, Sr. and Martha Lee Lockman Howard; brothers Carroll, Bart, Jack and Raymond Howard and sister Nancy Poteat.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of thirty-three years, Shirley Reese Howard; five children, Beth Horney (Neil), Charlene Blevins, Kenneth Blevins, Wesley Murphy (Trena) and Melinda Cooke; two brothers, Billy Howard (Blanche) and Roy Dean Howard; two sisters, Judy Owenby (Ken), and Ann Wilborn; eight grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, January 2, 2023 at 4:00 p.m. at Cross Memorial Baptist Church with the Rev. Doug Prevette and Rev. Burl Jones officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service from 3:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. at the church.

Thomas – known by all as “Tommy” – was an avid and skilled outdoorsman. He knew the name of every stream and trail, knoll and mountain around. He could build or fix anything. He loved his children and his grandchildren, his church and the Bible, the latter of which he studied intensely for decades, and wore out many. Tommy also was a kind and generous man, helping all who needed or asked. He loved country and bluegrass music, especially bluegrass gospel and he himself was an accomplished musician and singer. He had a great sense of humor and a wonderful, big laugh. He was an astute observer of people and the world, and he could grow vegetables like nobody’s business –and always grew enough to share.