Elna Jean Howard, daughter of the late Bert and Cora Williams was born on May 3, 1936 at her home near the London Smoke Community in Eastern Dallas County, Missouri, and left this life to be with Jesus on November 18, 2020. At the time of her passing she was 84 years, six months, and 14 days of age.
Elna was reared in the London Smoke area and attended the one room school at London Smoke through the 8th grade, walking two miles each way to school. She then attended high school at Windyville, Missouri. She told many stories about growing up on the farm milking cows, and the days before electricity came to rural Dallas County.
Elna was united in marriage to Marion Daniel Howard of Long Lane, Missouri on July 7, 1957. They made their home in the Long Lane area and shared 39 years until his passing in 1996. To this union two children were born, Gary Howard and Gail Howard, both of whom survive her.
Elna was preceded in death by her husband, Marion; her parents, Bert and Cora Williams; a brother, Leo Dean; and a sister, Joyce Lee who both died in infancy.
She is survived by her son, Gary & wife Rebecca Howard of Long Lane, MO; her daughter, Gail Howard of Long Lane, MO; one granddaughter, Ellen R. Howard; and one sister, Kathleen Williams of Long Lane, MO. She also leaves many relatives, friends, and her church family who will all truly miss her.
Elna was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She spent most of her life as a homemaker with a few years spent working at the Windyville and Long Lane Elementary Schools as a cook in the School Cafeterias. She enjoyed sewing, gardening, and especially fishing with her husband and family. In later years she and Marion enjoyed traveling the U.S. with their daughter on vacation trips. They traveled many places including Canada.
Elna was saved by the Blood of Jesus Christ at an early age and baptized in the Niangua River. She held to her faith to the end of her earthly life, attending church services until her health prevented.
Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 22, 2020 in the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Chapel with Bro. Ervin Friend officiating. Escorts will be Dan Kenney, James Williams, Lawrence Williams, Nathan Hague, Chris Hague, and Doug Mathews. Honorary escorts will be Everett Williams, Paul Williams, Jim Evans, and John Evans. Interment will be in the Cedar Ridge Cemetery under the care and direction of the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home Buffalo.
Visitation will be from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday at the Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Cedar Ridge Cemetery Fund.
