Extracted from The Laurel Leader-Call (Laurel, MS)
Tuesday, July 23, 1968

Mrs. Howard

Mrs. William E. Howard Sr., 74, prominently identified in Laurel's church, social and business circles, died Monday in a Laurel hospital following an illness of several months.

The mother of W. E. Howard Jr., president of Commercial National Bank and Trust Co. of Laurel, she was the former Blanche Jones and the widow of the late William E. Howard Sr.

Mrs. Howard had been a moving spirit in the women's work of the First Presbyterian Church for half a century, having served in practically every capacity including the presidency of the Women of the Church.

During World War II, an accomplished needlewoman herself, she marshalled the interest and talent of the women of the community behind the American Red Cross knitting program for servicemen. She had traveled extensively throughout the world and where ever she went, Mrs. Howard added friends to her countless list. She remained in constant contact with them through the years.

She was born in Winnfield, La., Feb. 10, 1894, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. L. D. Jones. She was married in June 1916, coming immediately to Laurel with her husband to establish their home. A business leader in the community, he preceded her in death Nov. 17, 1953.

She is survived by her son, W. E. Howard Jr.; three granddaughters, Mrs. Anne Howard McGinity, Oakland, Calif.; Miss Elizabeth Leigh Howard, Laurel and Jackson; Miss Louise Steele Howard, Laurel; a sister, Mrs. Juett Jones Slay, Shreveport, La.; brother, Everett Lee Jones, Shreveport, La.; a half sister, Mrs. Maude J. Jones, Baton Rouge, La.; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services were scheduled Tuesday at 4 p.m. from the First Presbyterian Church with the Rev. William A. Crosland and Dr. Grayson L. Tucker officiating. Burial was in Lake Park Cemetery.

Active pallbearers were James M. Fuller, Kalford Ratcliff, Dr. Lauren Harper, A. J. Aycock, Stewart J. Gilchrist, William Carroll Gartin Jr., Herbert H. Thompson, Dr. William E. Weems, Harold Matison and Homer T. Denham Jr.

Officers, directors and attorneys of the Commercial National Bank and Trust Co. and officers and trustees of the First Presbyterian Church were honorary pallbearers.

The family requests memorials be sent to the First Presbyterian Church or the Jones County Cancer Fund.

Thompson Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.