Jeannette Howard

Jeannette Howard, born Jan. 30, 1928, after 96 years of devoted worship, faith, and trust in her Lord Jesus, finally met Him face-to-face on March 16, 2024.

She was born in Richmond, Virginia, to the late Charles and Maude Windsor. Jeannette was a graduate of MCV School of Nursing where she worked on the Labor and Delivery floor, a job she claimed was the best job in the world because she got to rock all the babies in the nursery. In 1953, she and her husband Farrar moved to Charles City County where he opened his doctor’s office, and she served as his nurse for many years.

Jeannette was a Godly woman, who consistently lived her faith through her love for music, her love for children, and community service which included coordinating the neighborhood Christmas nativities. In later years, Jeannette continued to serve by knitting hats for the neonatal intensive care unit at MCV. She and Farrar also served as Missionaries to Antigua and Romania.

Jeannette was a member of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, Kentwood Heights Baptist Church, and most recently Tsena Commocko Baptist Church. She had a passion for music which began when she was just eight years old and played piano at New Bridge Baptist Church. Jeannette would go on and serve as the organist at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church and Kentwood Heights Baptist Church for many years. She also greatly enjoyed leading music for Vacation Bible School at churches in Charles City County, New Kent County, and Richmond, singing in the Charles City/New Kent Community Choir, and volunteering at St. Joseph’s Villa.

Jeannette was preceded in death by her loving husband, Farrar Howard Sr.; great-grandson, Hawkins Lee Bowman Jr.; granddaughter-in-law, Noelle Howards; and brothers, Charles, Cecil, Herbert, and Bobby Windsor.

She is survived by her sons, Wakie Howard (Rose), Sam Howard (Joanne), Martin Howard (Debbie), Brad Howard (Sharon), and Bruce Howard (Betty); grandchildren, Farrar Howard III (Kristen), Mary Bowman (Hawk), Malissa Howard, Jessica Phillips (Jairin); Samuel Howard, Joseph Howard (Lynne), Martin Howard Jr. (Cady), Jonathan Howard (Andrea), Abigail Gerardi (Nick), Taylor Howard (Dan), Caroline Howard, Jordan Howard (Ariel), and Bruce Howard Jr.; her daughter, Ruth Hennaman (Dave) and their sons, David, Daniel, Allen, and their families; 30 great-grandchildren; and her devoted sister, Joyce Eacho.

The family would like to thank At-Home Hospice, especially Eric, as well as her wonderful caregivers, Kelly Addison, Sharon Burnette, Pinky Whitehurst, Laura Araujo, Vicki Bowman, and Irma Otey.

A memorial service will be held on Monday, March 25, 2024, 11 a.m. at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, 19300 The Glebe Lane, Charles City, VA 23030. There will be a time of visitation with the family from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. just prior to the service. Following the service, there will be a reception held at Burlington, 13221 John Tyler Memorial Highway, Charles City, VA 23030.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tsena Commock Baptist Church, Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, or Kentwood Heights Baptist Church. Tributes may be posted at www.vincentfh.com.