Virginia R. Howard

Virginia R. Howard was born June 8, 1927 to Roy R. and Grace Mae Shelley in LaMonte, Missouri.  One sister: Dorothy Franklin. She departed this life Friday, September 25, 2020, at the age of 93.

Virginia wrote:

“I don’t remember a time when going to church and Sunday School wasn’t a part of my life. I was saved at the age of 11 in LaMonte Christian Church and taught my first Sunday School class (the Beginners) at age 16. From there on I taught several age groups – but mostly adults. Teaching God’s Word has become a most fulfilling part of my life. I received the baptism of the Holy Ghost at age 19 after we moved to Sedalia; having graduated high school in LaMonte in 1945. We moved here where my Dad was employed at Missouri Pacific Shops. Most of all I thank God for my heritage of a family that believed and served God and taught me right from wrong.

When I was 21, I married Olen Howard on November 14, 1948. We had two daughters and have lived in Sedalia since our marriage. I became a member of 1

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Assembly of God Church in 1953. Upon moving to the west end of Sedalia, I joined Westside Assembly and later, Encounter Church where I am a member now.

I attended Central Business College in Sedalia and worked before my marriage in the office of the Rice Leghorn Farms. Then when my husband’s bookkeeper died shortly after my marriage, I worked in his office awhile before the girls were born.

I praise God for all His goodness to me and my family. In 1963, I was miraculously healed of cancer. That’s been 57 years ago and I believe God does not change. He is still the God of miracles and I know one day when the last page of this autobiography is written, I’ll live with Him throughout eternity. The Christian life is the only life to live!”

She is survived by two daughters, Darlene Bradbury and Shirley Rowden, both of Sedalia; a granddaughter, Christina Rowden, of Springfield; two grandsons, Micah Rowden (Julie) and Tim Keele (Angie), all of Sedalia; a great-granddaughter, Kennedy Ashton Keele; and a great-grandson, Lincoln Howard Keele.

In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two sons-in-law, Donald Bradbury and Randal Rowden.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at Encounter Church, with Pastor Chris Gray officiating.

Casket bearers will be Micah Rowden, Tim Keele, Jim Franklin, Mike Howard, Steve Lee and Randy Jones.

Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 9:30 a.m. until service time Tuesday at the church.

Memorials are suggested to Encounter Church, in care of Heckart Funeral Home.