Shirley Howard

Shirley Howard, age 90, of Sharon, Tennessee, formerly of Arkadelphia, Arkansas passed away Friday, October 17, 2025. She was born July 25, 1935 in Okeechobee, Florida to the late Martin Luther and Annie Mae (Hawk) Hancock. Shirley was a member of First Baptist Church in Martin, Tennessee. She retired from Wal-Mart in Arkadelphia as a cashier. One of Shirley’s favorite hobbies was fishing. She loved hummingbirds and would sit on her porch for hours watching the hummingbirds and any other bird that would come visit. Shirley also enjoyed completing jigsaw puzzles and crocheting. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Hoyt Howard; son, Don Edward Howard; brother, Charles Hancock; and sister, Alice Mehrer.

Survivors included her daughter, Diane Featherston of Sharon, Tennessee; son, Douglas Howard (Carol) of Moro, Oregon; grandchildren, Tori Rousch (David) of Newbern, Tennessee, William LaRue of Martin, Tennessee, and Tracey Campbell (Ashley) of Martin, Tennessee; eight great-grandchildren, and seven great-great-grandchildren.

Graveside services are 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 22, 2025 of Forest Hills Cemetery in Alexander, Arkansas. Arrangements are by Smith Family Funeral Home-Arkadelphia/Ruggles-Wilcox Chapel, www.smithfamilycares.com.