J. Max Howard

J. Max Howard, age 95, of Belton died Saturday, December 1, 2007 in a local hospital. A graveside service will be held at 1:30 PM Tuesday, December 4 at Oak Hill Cemetery in Cameron with Rev. Martin Knox officiating. Visitation will be 3:00 – 7:00 PM Monday at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home. Mr. Howard was a loving father, faithful husband, civil and spiritual leader. He was born May 10, 1912 in Falls County near Rosebud to Henry Clay and Stella (Gray) Howard. He graduated from Rosebud High School in 1930 and attended Draughon's Business College in San Antonio. He was baptized at the age of 12 years. He joined First Baptist Church in Rosebud at the age of 17. He married Rowena Burkes on September 12, 1935. He worked a short while in Marlin where he joined the Baptist church and was ordained a deacon in 1939. They moved to Cameron in 1941 and established the Burkes-Howard Implement Company with his brother-in-law, Ernest Burkes. While in Cameron he was on the First Baptist Church board of deacons and served as Chairman for 13 years. He was Chairman of the building committee for the new First Baptist Church. While there, he taught the 15 year old boys Sunday School class for 22 years. He also served as President of the Cameron School Board for several years. They later moved to Waco and joined the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church where he also served as a deacon. After moving to Temple they joined the First Baptist Church here and served on the board of deacons. He wrote "I have always thought it an honor and privilege to serve as a deacon and am grateful to God for his guidance in my home and work". He was preceded in death by his parents and two sons, Marcus Dwain Howard and Dan Larry Howard. Survivors include his wife of 72 years, Betty Rowena Burkes Howard of Belton, daughter, Betty Diane Semple and husband, Jim of Houston, son, Don Max Howard and wife, Sharon of Duncanville and sister, Wanona McInnis of Mobile, Alabama. Also surviving are three granddaughters, Tamara Gribble of Dallas, Robyn Howard of Yamhill, Oregon, Alison Miller of League City and five great-grandchildren, Swan Miller, Benjamin Howard, Elizabeth Howard, Anna Gribble and Ellie Gribble. Memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church of Temple, Library Fund.