With the same strength and fighting spirit she demonstrated her entire life, Jeanne Cecile Howe passed away at the age of 79 at Transition Life Care Center in Raleigh, North Carolina on May 2, 2022. She was born the second daughter to the late William S. Fair and Robin Hollingshead Fair Scharfenberger in Dayton, Ohio on March 3, 1943.
Jeanne graduated from Wellston High School with the class of 1961. Later that year on June 10, she married the love of her life, Donald Jacob Howe, and together they had two daughters: Sherry and Dawn. Jeanne worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber in Jackson, Giovanni’s Pizza in Wellston and then went on to General Mills in Wellston, where she retired in 2005. Jeanne loved to watch her daughters and granddaughters in their activities, especially the softball games. She would pull up in the centerfield parking lot and sit on the hood of her car to watch the game. Jeanne also loved to do word search puzzles and snack late at night. She enjoyed going to the Gulf of Mexico beaches to watch the waves when she visited Englewood, Florida, but she did not like going across the bridges to get there. Jeanne loved her family and did all she could to protect them. She was the most kind, caring, and compassionate person to everyone.
Jeanne is survived by daughters: Sherry Burroughs (David Essman) of Clayton, North Carolina, and Dawn Robson (Rick) of Englewood, Florida; granddaughter, Nicole Robson of Englewood, Florida; great-granddaughters: Adison and Paisley of Clayton, North Carolina and Jasmine Rose of Englewood, Florida; sisters: Billie Lynn Starkey of Sarasota, Florida and Jere Deck (Kevin) of Jackson, Ohio. Jeanne was the aunt to Kim McGowen, Tammy Sanchez, and Todd Starkey and is also survived by great nieces, great nephews and cousins. She was preceded in passing by her husband, Don; father, Bill Fair; mother, Robin Scharfenberger; stepfather, Ray Scharfenberger; granddaughter, Rebecca Jeanann; sister and brother-in-law, Margie and Kermit McCumber; and nephew, Skippy McCumber.
A Celebration of Life service will be held Saturday, June 11, 2022, at 4 p.m. at the McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston with Pastor John Pelletier officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions in Jeanne’s name be given to one of the following: Wellston Public Library, 135 East Second Street, Wellston, Ohio 45692 or Transition Life Care Center, 250 Hospice Circle, Raleigh, North Carolina 27607. Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.mcwilliams-funeralhome.com