“To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord”
Mary Margaret Thompson Howard, age 88, of Middlesboro, Kentucky went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, Friday, September 17, 2021 at the Middlesboro A.R.H. Her energy and spirit will live on in her family, who will be forever grateful for having had her in their lives.
Margaret was born October 6, 1932 in Middlesboro, Kentucky where she lived all of her life. She was the daughter of the late Kemp and Frances Cooper Thompson Allen. Margaret was a graduate of Brenau Academy, in Gainesville, Georgia, where she was crowned Miss Brenau. She furthered her studies at the University of Tennessee. She married Jasper B. Howard, December 28, 1952, they were blessed with three children. Margaret began her career in the Insurance industry in the 1960’s. In June 1978 she founded Middlesboro Insurance Agency where she worked in the office every day, until her last day September 10, 2021.
She loved her church and was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church, starting from birth she attended Trinity United Methodist Church where she was a Sunday School teacher, youth leader and faithful member. Later both Methodist Churches of Middlesboro merged to become Covenant United Methodist Church where Margaret attended faithfully until her passing.
Margaret was known for her determination and perseverance. She loved to be active and spend time outside in the sun. Raising beautiful flowers and a manicured lawn were a must. Playing bridge, a round of golf, riding her bicycle or letting you know what she thought were past times she enjoyed. Margaret’s beloved Australian Shepherd dogs were each a cared for companion whom she loved the best, missed the most and reminisced of fondly.
She was preceded in death by her Parents Kemp Thompson and Frances Thompson Allen; Brother and Sister-in-law Kemp and Jeanne Thompson; Stepfather Nelson Allen; Daughter-in-law Teresa Howard and Grandson Charles Mikel Howard.
Left to cherish and honor her memory are her Children;
Son Byron Kemp Howard and Daughter-in-law Ruth Howard; Son Thomas Winton Howard; Daughter and Son-in-law Melissa and Garry Bingham.
Granddaughter Melissa Zimmerman; Grandsons Benjamin and wife Laura Bingham; Nelson and wife Hannah Bingham; Kemp Howard; Noah Howard.
Great-Granddaughters Emoline Evans; Chloe Evans; Abigail Zimmerman; Great-Grandsons Cooper Bingham; Boone Bingham; Australian Shepherd Shadow and a host of special friends, church family and neighbors.
The family would like to issue a special thanks Dr. C.A. Moore, the Hopson family, Larry Grandey and Debbie Chadwell.
The family would like to offer visiting hours from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, September 21, 2021, at the Covenant United Methodist Church. The family will not be present, but friends are welcome to come sign the register book, receive a program and pay their respects.
A Private Funeral service will be held at the Covenant United Methodist Church, with Rev. Chuck Shroll officiating. Music will be provided by Mr. Corey Eldridge.
Entombment will follow in the Green Hills Memorial Gardens Mausoleum. Pallbearers will be her sons, grandsons and great-grandsons, Byron Howard, Thomas Howard, Benjamin Bingham, Nelson Bingham, Kemp Howard, Noah Howard, Cooper Bingham and Boone Bingham.
Honorary pallbearers will be Special Friends Larry Grandey, James E. Box and her Nephews Mike Thompson and Bruce Thompson.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Margaret Howard’s honor to her church, Covenant United Methodist Church, 602 Dorchester Ave., Middlesboro, KY 40965 or to the Gateway Christian School, 1 Gateway Drive, Middlesboro, KY 40965.
Green Hills Funeral Home, Middlesboro, is honored to serve the Howard family.
www.greenhillsfuneralhome.com
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