Obituary of Joe Ann Howard

Joe Ann Howard, 74, of Soddy-Daisy passed away Saturday, August 6, 2011. Joe Ann was a member of South Soddy Baptist Church. She was proud of her Mayflower lineage and was a direct descendent of William Brewster, William Mullins, Richard Warren and John Alden. She was a pillar in our life and our number one fan. She made friends easily and inspired her family to focus on the good things in life. Joe Ann was an excellent basketball player taking her team to the Tennessee State High School Championship. Her nickname was 'Briar Hopper' because she could jump so high. She will be sadly missed by all of her family and friends since she gave a warm and loving energy. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe William and Hessie Sue McGhee Gillis. Survivors include her husband of 55 years, Charles Howard of Soddy-Daisy; daughters, Jeannie (Joe) Riddle of Augusta, GA; Becky (Kenny) Marsh, Lisa (Chris) Lewis, all of Hixson; and Amy (Greg) Triplett of Etowah, TN; sisters, Maggie Bingham and Mary Sue Buck, both of Oakdale, TN; grandchildren, Dusty, Kati and Ashley Riddle, Brandi (Matt) Gowan, Christopher, Logan, and Noah Lewis, and Nolan Triplett; one great great-granddaughter, Maddie Gowan; and eight nieces and nephews. Graveside services and interment will be held at 11 AM on Monday at Oak Grove Cemetery in Rockwood, TN with Rev. Nathan Malone officiating. The family will receive friends from 2-4 & 6-8 on Sunday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family request memorial contributions are made to the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation, 383 Main Avenue, 5th Floor, Norwalk, CT 06851. Arrangements are by Legacy Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 8911 Dallas Hollow Road Soddy-Daisy, TN 37379. Share your memories, stories and photos at www.legacyfuneralhome.com.