Howard Earl Steakley

Howard Earl Steakley, age 76, of Gadsden, AL passed away on Monday, January 27, 2025. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 pm on Saturday, February 1, 2025, at Collier-Butler Funeral Home. Bro. Michael Knight will officiate. Entombment with military honors will follow at Forrest Mausoleum. The family will accept friends from 12:00 pm until the hour of the service at the funeral home Saturday.

Howard was born and raised in Gadsden, Alabama. He graduated from Gadsden High School class of 1966. After graduation, he joined the United States Army and served in Germany from 1968 until 1971. Howard was honorably discharged. He then attended and graduated from Jacksonville State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice, as well as post graduate studies in Public Administration. He spent the rest of his career serving The City of Gadsden, Etowah County, and The State of Alabama. Howard served as a police officer in patrol, traffic, and detective divisions, earning the rank of Lieutenant. He served the state as a probation and parole officer for 21 years. He then went on to serve as a correction officer with Etowah County Community Corrections until his retirement.

During his early years with the police department, he met and married the love of his life Annette. Together they had a son Jeffrey. Howard loved going to the beach with his family, fishing, restoring old cars, collecting and shooting guns with his son, gospel music, history, helping others, and spending time outside with his two labs Katie and Allie Mae.

Howard was of the Baptist faith. He was a patron life member of the NRA. He was also a lifetime blood donor. He meant so much to so many and touched many lives. Howard will be deeply missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rev. George O. Steakley and Mary Frances Steakley; and brother, Roger D. Steakley.

Howard is survived by his wife, Annette Henegar Steakley; children, Jeffrey Wayne Steakley, Christopher Todd (Amy) Steakley and family, and Rhonda Michelle Steakley and family; brother, Thomas “Butch” Steakley; and niece, Atalie (David) Whitley and family.

Pallbearers will be Vincent Pentecost, Paul Smith, Jeff Wright, Steve Griffin, David Griffin, and Jeffrey Steakley.

Honorary pallbearers will be special cousin Rickey Bates, Martha Partridge White, and Dennis Moore.

The family wishes to express a special thanks to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Neuro ICU at UAB, The palliative care staff and tech Audrey, Vickie with Legacy of Hope, and all friends and family who have prayed, visited, and text or called.