Sue Howard

Sue Smith Howard died peacefully on June 7, 2018, at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Abingdon, VA. She was born in Lundale, West Virginia, February 23, 1936 to the late Wiley Brownlow Smith and Ora Cornett Smith. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters Opal Smith Douglas, Louise Smith Helton, Ethel Smith Walker, and a brother Ernest Smith.     As a young girl, she lived with her family in West VA and moved to Mountain City when she was four. She had one brother and six sisters including Tulee that passed away when she was a few days old. At the age of eight, she cooked for the whole family, while the older siblings did chores on a farm in the Crackers Neck Community.     Sue and Malcolm met in high school and married on August 18, 1954 in Conowingo, Maryland at the ages of 17 and 18. They started their married life living with Malcolm's father, the late Roby J. Howard, at the family home place. They eventually moved into an apartment in Mountain City while they built a house on land they purchased, which was part of the Howard Farm.     Malcolm farmed, raised hogs, turkeys, and cattle. He grew corn, tobacco, and beans. Sue worked at Farmers State Bank. When the Leco Manufacturing plant came into the county, they both found employment. Sue worked there for seven years, and Malcolm worked for nine years. Before his employment at Leco, Malcolm worked at the Raytheon Plant in Bristol. Sue left the plant in order to stay home with the children.     Five years later, she opened a small shop known as Mountaineer Arts Crafts and Gift Shop. This business was Located in a part of the Arney's Grill building which they purchased from Mr. and Mrs. Jack Arney. During this time Sue taught classes in Macrame, Ceramics, Cake Decorating, and leather work. She kept the business for 12 years.     Malcolm and Sue own and operate a part of the original Roby J. Howard Sr. Farm, and have lived there for 58 years.     Sue was very active in the community. She was leader of Girl Scout Troop 268 for many years. She was a member and served as a president of most of the following clubs: Laurel Bloomery Home Demonstration Club, Johnson County Garden Club, Johnson County Arts Council, Family Community Education Club, Johnson County Historical Society, Heritage Hall Renovation Committee, and Johnson County Community Theater. She received a State Volunteer Award in Family Community Education. She served two terms as a Johnson County Commissioner, serving the First District. She was past president of the Johnson County Republican Women's Club, which she helped to organize. She received a Tennessee Volunteer Accommodation Award, presented by State Representative, Jason Mumpower, for Governor, Don Sunquist, for Community service. She was also involved in Tennessee Bicentennial. Sue was a Charter Heritage Hall Member. She was named Club Woman of the Year in 1978, served on the Board of the State of Tennessee 4-H Club Alumni in 1982-1983. Sue had her own radio program at 7:00 each morning, for 15 plus years. This program was very popular on the local WMCT Radio Station. She was also a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was very involved in the ETSU Kellogg program. Sue was also very well known in the community for her country cooking and had written many recipes.     The Howard's are members of First Christian Church, and Sue has served on many committees, including the Nellie Bryan Guild.     Sue loved all of her family dearly and loved attending events and outings that her grandchildren and great grandchildren were involved in. She also enjoyed gardening and bowling. She was a competitive bowler. Both of them were past members of the Boone, NC Tuesday night league. They have both entered tournaments that led them to USBC National Tournaments. Sue and Malcolm both have bowled in the National Bowling Arena in Reno, Nevada. Sue also bowled in Syracuse, NY and in Green Bay, Wisconsin in August, 2015 where she won the Women's Senior USBC Championship. She received the coveted Wall of Honor Award in 2013, which is voted on by league members.     She loved the beauty of her county, her state, and her nation. She was a lifelong collector of antiques and collectibles, especially Elvis Presley memorabilia and also went to see him in concert twice.      A special thank you to staff at Johnston Memorial Hospital, Amedisys, and the many special friends that have sent cards, brought food, and visited her in the last five months.     Those left to cherish her memories include: Husband and Soulmate of 63 years and 10 months, Malcolm Howard, Sr., sons Malcolm Howard, Jr. (Donna), Randy Howard, daughter Dottie Sue Phipps (Mark), grandchildren Rita Howard Reese (Lars), Dayton Howard, Staci Phipps Byrd (Mark), Mandy Howard Reichenbach FNP-BC (Chris), Ashley Howard, Brandy Phipps (Samantha), Laurel Howard (Tony), Crisie Jennings, Daniel Phipps, great grandchildren Aubree Glenn, Alaina Perry, Nathaniel (Nate) Price, Mya Reichenbach, Raelynn Hughes, Abigail Phipps, Alaina Phipps, Norman Reese, Milianna Hughes, sisters Kathleen Smith Davidson (Bill), Trilla Smith Little (Buddy), brothers-in-law Earl Howard, Walter G. Adams, and many many special nieces and nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great great nieces and nephews. Special friends of many years include: Carolyn Ray and the late Bruce Ray, Thelma Lipford, Ina Bellamy, Lorraine Ray, Mary and Bruce Triplett, Mary Nave, Peggy and Buster Brown, Peggy and Ken Rowman, Karen McMillan and Cecil Griffin, Brenda Gambill, Starla and Pete Brooks, Ted and Margaret Spivey, Judy and Fred Ramsey, Hal and Sarah Johnson, Jack and Joann Swift, Bill and Kathy Terrill, Janet Payne and the late Ray Payne, Mark and Pam Billingsley, and Janet Towry. A special thanks to nephew, C.J. Douglas, who considered her his second mother.        The family will receive friends on Sunday, June 10, 2018 from 12:30-2:30 at Mountain City Funeral Home.  Funeral service will follow at 2:30 with Pastors Frank Ransom and Dwayne Dickson officiating. Special music will be provided by Nancy Davis.  Graveside service and interment will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery.  Pallbearers will be grandsons and nephews.  Honorary pallbearers are Doug Mink, Danny Grindstaff and Clay Neely.   At other times, the family will receive friends at the home on Dry Stone Branch Road. Condolences may be sent to the family through our website at www.mountaincityfh.com. The family of Sue Smith Howard has entrusted her services to Mountain City Funeral Home, 224 S. Church Street, Mountain City, TN 37683.