Eather Mae Howard, 95, of Olney, passed away on Friday, January 2, 2015 at Burgin Manor.
Mae was born April 4, 1919 in Baldwin, KY, the daughter of Burton and Iva (Whitaker) Long. She lost her mother at the age of nine and assumed the responsibilities of helping raise her four siblings. She married Luther Burgin Howard on Christmas Eve of 1935 in Richmond, KY at the age of 16 and then they raised seven children together. Mae was a pastor's wife for over 50 years after moving from Kentucky to Illinois in 1947. They served in multiple charges in the Southern IL United Methodist Conference.
She is survived by her son, Marvin Howard of Mt. Erie, IL; Daughter, Joan Leggitt and husband Marion of Oblong, IL; Daughter, Berdena McKinney and husband Duane of Mt. Erie, IL; Daughter, Donna Earnest and husband Don of Florissant, MO; Son, Keith Howard and wife Connie of West Frankfort, IL; Daughter, Kathy Michels and husband Jim of Olney, IL; Daughter, Karen Howard and husband Jim of Hidalgo, IL; 20 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren, and 14 great great grandchildren.
She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, daughter-in-law, Mary Howard, and grandchild, Staci Reddan.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, 11:00 am - noon, at the Summer-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney, IL.
Funeral Services will also be on Tuesday, January 6, 2015, 12:00 noon, at the Summer-Kistler Funeral Home in Olney, IL.
Condolences may be sent to a son, Keith Howard, 306 E 8th Street, West Frankfort, IL 62896-1235.
A full obituary may be found at the website of the funeral home and messages for the family may be posted there:www.summers-kistler.com