Ruby Howard

Ruby Faye Howard, 88, of Fort Smith, passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018, in Fort Smith. Ruby was born January 2, 1930 to the late Laban Cleo Gilbert and Beulah Mae (Grubbs) Gilbert. Ruby was born at the foot of Potato Hill near Charleston, AR. She has told us many stories of her growing up there and about her large family (four girls and five boys) and how they played games around and up it.

When she was nine years of age her family moved to Fort Smith. Ruby started to school at Darby Junior High and when she was fifteen she graduated from Fort Smith Senior High. She applied for a job and was immediately hired by Crouch Equipment Company on Grand Avenue. The company moved to Midland Blvd., now known as Carco International Inc. She worked for this company of 55 1/2 years. She was a member of Rye Hill Baptist Church. She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers Jesse, Ralph, Lloyd, Ernest and Jimmy and two sisters Ruth and Florence.

Funeral service will be 10:00 AM Friday at Rye Hill Baptist Church with burial to follow at Woodlawn Memorial Park Cemetery both under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

She is survived by her husband Donald “Don” Howard, two stepsons Steve and his wife Michelle of Pocola and Les and his wife April of Pocola, sister Maisie Little and her husband Bill of Fort Smith, eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren and many special nieces and nephews.

Pallbearers will be Josh Seabolt, Dalton Edwards, Eric Shamp, Jonathan Chastain, Ethen Hill and Don Shamp.

The family will visit with friends Thursday evening from 5:30 PM-7:00 PM at the funeral home.

Memorials to Rye Hill Baptist Church, 11512 Old Highway 71, Fort Smith, AR 72916 or to charity of your choice.