Good-Bye, Paw Paw

My 94 year old grandfather, my mother's father, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning. I am copying his obituary, but am left pondering the impossibility of condensing 94 years into a few sentences.

Of course, I am also left wondering about my own obituary. What will my legacy be? I often wonder exactly how many grandchildren I will have! More importantly, what will my Heavenly Father say about my life? "Well done, good and faithful servant." Those are the words I long to hear once I have breathed my last.

I love you, Paw Paw. Give Maw Maw a hug from us. You both live in our hearts and we miss you.

Elmer Stanley Howard

Elmer Stanley Howard, “Pawpaw” to his grandchildren, beloved father, grandfather, brother and friend, departed this life for a new one in eternity with his heavenly Father and his wife Morris on Tuesday, Sept. 25, 2007, at the age of 94.

Funeral services are scheduled for 3 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2007, at the First United Methodist Church in Athens with the Rev. Faulk Landrum and the Rev. Jack Matkin officiating. Burial will follow in Oaklawn Memorial Park under the direction of Carroll-Lehr Funeral Home of Athens.

Elmer was born Sept. 17, 1913, in Bonham, the son of J.N. and Ethel Mae Howard. He graduated from high school second in his class in Foyle, Okla. During the years of the Depression, he worked in government programs to help provide for his five siblings. Elmer married Ethel Morris Collins on Oct. 15, 1938, in Abilene. He worked for the Ford Motor Company in Abilene and Athens until 1952. Following that, Elmer owned and operated service stations in Athens and was active in some facet of the automobile industry until his retirement in 1978.

Elmer enjoyed golf, shooting his age on several occasions, and he bowled in several leagues, rolling many 200 + games. In addition, he was a gravy maker extraordinaire for the Methodist Men. Elmer was a loyal member of the Adult Choir for over 50 years, and he sang his last solo at the age of 91.

Elmer and Morris had two children, Janice Lane and Stanley Morris. They were a close-knit family who always had a great time playing games, teasing each other and laughing. He will be sorely missed by his family and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Morris, in 2004; his great-granddaughter, Mary Howard McKee; his parents; and his sisters, Jewel Dodson, Virginia Bishop and Florence Newberry.

Survivors include his daughter, Janice Lane Fenimore and her husband, Bill; son, Stanley Howard and his wife, Kay; grandchildren, Brad Howard, Jill Spicer, Marc Howard, Paige Fenimore and Eddie McKee and their spouses; and 16 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his dear friends, Ed and Rita Sapp; brother, Ken Howard; and sister, Louise Foster.

Pallbearers will be Brad Howard, Marc Howard, Eddie McKee and John Spicer.

The family will receive friends at First United Methodist Church from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to the American Cancer Society or the “Methodist Men” at the First United Methodist Church.