Darlene Spires Howard

Despite her many trials, Darlene spent the last years of her life focused on joy. She watched the birds outside of the back door of her home - of which she had a perfect view - spent as much time as she could with her children and grandchildren, and found many blessings in sharing her life with her husband, Billy.

Darlene always said the greatest honor of her life was being a mom to Amanda, 41, and David, 38. She was loving and fiercely protective of them from the time they were born, always serving as their biggest supporter and always encouraging them with the love of Jesus. Whether her duties as a mom took her to softball and baseball fields when they were younger to spending countless hours on Facetime as they got older, she was always there for her children.

Darlene was also a loving and dedicated daughter to her parents, Chris and JoAnn Spires, both of whom preceded her in death. She always made time to celebrate them - planning vacations, cooking them meals, caring for them when they were sick. After her father died, she spent the last year of her mother’s life caring for her as she battled cancer. She had a sacrificial spirit when it came to those she loved.

Through Darlene, her children - and later on, her six grandchildren (Patrick, Ruby, Ellie, Ginny, Evelyn, and Maggie) - learned about Jesus and what it means to live with that servant heart. They learned that despite any battle in your life, He will always be there to provide comfort and guidance - and it’s your job to be the hands and feet of Christ despite your circumstances.

Darlene knew her husband, Billy, when they were teenagers growing up in Columbus, but they married years later in 1996. Since that time, Billy has spent each day trying to make Darlene laugh. He’s cared for her when she couldn’t care for herself, and has loved her children as his own. Darlene has said she could not have picked a better husband for herself than him.

As a grandmother, Darlene’s favorite pastime was reading books to her grandbabies, driving them around the house in her wheelchair, baking cookies and having tea parties, watching funny animal videos with them, coloring, and playing games. She loved shopping for them at McKayla’s Place or Carter’s, loved watching them play, and loved talking to them about Jesus.

Darlene also had a passion for rescue animals and adopted several through the years. Her two dogs, Holly and Sparky, never liked to leave her side.

In the last 10+ years of her life, Darlene was confined to a wheelchair thanks to a severe form of multiple sclerosis. In those years, when her ability to visit others waned, she realized the value of a few close friends who went out of their way to come and demonstrate their love for her. She had a special bond with her cousin, Lisa Geutz, who traveled at least once a year from Wisconsin to spend time with Darlene. Most of the time when they were together, they were laughing.

Darlene is survived by her husband, Billy Howard; daughter Amanda Lawson (husband Brent); son David Casciaro (wife Megan); grandson Patrick Carter; granddaughters Ruby and Evelyn (Amanda), and Ellie, Ginny and Maggie (David); stepdaughter Cathy Howard; brother Mike Spires; and cousin Lisa Geutz (daughters Ashley and Tonya). She is preceded in death by her granddaughter Kylie (David); three unknown grandbabies (Amanda); and her parents, Chris and JoAnn Spires.

A memorial service will be held for Darlene on Saturday, February 3 at River of Life Church at 8060 U.S. Hwy 27 in Hamilton, Georgia. The family will receive visitors at 12:30 pm in the main sanctuary and a service will follow at 1 pm.