Sharon Howard, 77, Owensville, triumphantly walked through the gates of Glory, hearing, “Well done, my good and faithful servant,” on Aug. 16, 2026, after a long battle with failing health and pain.
Sharon was born on Sept. 19, 1948, to Glenn and Esther (Juedemann) Branson in Royal, Missouri. Sharon and her brother, Delmar Branson, grew up in Cleavesville, and Sharon would often share stories of the great times she had playing and causing mischief with the other children in the community. Sharon graduated from Bland High School in 1966.
In 1967, Sharon met Jim Howard at Liberty Baptist Church, where Jim invited her to go to the drive-in movies with him, and the rest was history. The two were united in marriage on April 6, 1968. Their love and devotion to one another shone brightly even to the very end of Sharon’s time here on earth. Caring for and loving Jim was one of Sharon’s greatest joys in life.
Even though Sharon and Jim were never blessed with children of their own, Sharon loved and cared for more than 200 children in the 25-plus years she had her in-home daycare service. She treated each child who came through her doors as if they were her own and provided unwavering love to them day after day and year after year.
Sharon took great pride in being a homemaker and did so with great excellence. She was an expert gardener and loved to work with Jim at harvesting and preserving their harvests. Even through her declining health, she maintained an immaculate home and was still doing projects around the house to highlight her pride in the home she and Jim had created together. In her healthier years, she loved to maintain beautiful flower beds, packed full of her favorite flowers, zinnias. In addition to her homemaking skills, she took great pride in her family and spent years collecting, archiving, and organizing the family history of her family as well as the Howard family. While she was healthy, she loved to organize family reunions and share the family history she had been discovering. However, Sharon’s favorite thing to do was travel the countryside with Jim. Together they would frequently take off on a “drive” to enjoy God’s creation, one another’s company, and usually some type of meal or treat. While she was able, Sharon was actively involved at New Salem Baptist Church in Owensville and was blessed continually by the community and fellowship she found there. Sharon was small, but she was mighty. She exuded love and kindness that came directly from her relationship with Jesus.
Those who are left to mourn her passing include her husband, Jim Howard; brother, Delmar Branson; sister-in-love, Laura Hinson; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Aug. 22, at New Salem Baptist Church in Owensville with Pastor Jack Kurrelmeyer and Pastor Dennis Spurgeon officiating. Burial was in Countryside Memorial Gardens in Owensville.
Memorials requested for family’s choice.
Arrangements entrusted to Gottenstroeter Funeral Home in Owensville.
