Patricia “Patty” (Markham) Howell passed away peacefully on Sunday, November 4th, 2018 at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Patricia was born April 25th, 1933 in Jackson, Ohio to the late James E. Markham and Elizabeth (Perry) Claar.
Patty grew up in Jackson and attended Jackson High School where she graduated with the class of 1951.
She retired as the Executive Director of the American Cancer Society in 1997. While employed by the ACS, she was instrumental in starting the annual Festival of Trees, Ladies Tea, and Relay for Life in Jackson County. She received the first “Patricia Howell Community Award”, which is now given to an individual in the community each year.
Patty enjoyed planning an event whether it was for the class of ’51, 12th night, decorating a tree for the annual Festival of Trees, or hosting a family gathering. She had a love of flowers, tending to her many flower gardens, and entertaining her Garden Lovers Too club friends.
Surviving are her daughter Vicki and her husband, Roy Williams; granddaughter, Lindsay and her husband, Tyler Pierpont; two great-grandchildren that always held a special place in her heart, Evan Christopher and her newest joy, Sophie Tyler; special sister-in-law, Eva Howell; sisters: Susan (Duane) Roberts and Sharon Dalton; Patty was always surrounded by her many nieces and nephews: Sally Howell Johnson, Brian Howell, Jason Howell, Don Miller, Jon Miller, Michael Dalton, Melissa Boucher, Melinda Dalton, David Markham, Samuel Markham, and Daniel Roberts.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of sixty-four years, Clay who passed in 2005; her infant brother, Jerry Lee Markham; brother, Billy Joe Markham who passed in 1978; brothers-in-law, Leroy Howell, Don Howell, and Ronald Dalton; and sister-in-law, Enid Howell Miller.
Friends may call at the Lewis & Gillum Funeral Home of Jackson on Thursday, November 8th, 2018 from 4:00PM-8:00PM. Funeral services will be held on Friday, November 9th, 2018 at 10:00AM at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Pleasant Grove Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent to www.lewisgillum.com