Patricia E Howard

Patricia “Patty” “Pat” Howard, 85, went to be with her loving Savior and Lord Jesus Christ on Sunday, October 25, 2020. Pat is preceded in death by her father and mother, Arthur & Terrell Darbaker, her brother James Darbaker, and her stepmother Mercedes (Chapman) Darbaker. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, James Howard; her children Kathy (Jeff) Dunn, Leslie (Jerry) Sharkey, and John (Darcy) Riner; her stepchildren Karen (Tommy) Hiatt and Stephanie Brookshire; her grandchildren Rebekah (Chris) Cypert, Leah (Ty) Wolfe, Mark Dunn, Matthew Sharkey, Christina (Ben) Ellison, Anita (Mat) Stasuk, Alec Riner, Joel Riner, Wesley Willis, Jake Willis, Rachel (Jim) Mayes, and Amy (Damien) Bentley; her great-grandchildren Lex, Satchel, Saylor, and Harvey Cypert, Jude, Amelie, and Gabriel Wolfe, Lydia and Julian Stasuk, Elijah May and Ethan Mayes. Pat’s greatest passion was her love for Jesus and His Word and work in her life and the lives of her family and friends. She wanted everyone to know and experience forgiveness and salvation through Jesus, for there is “no other name by which we are saved.”

Pat graduated from Lancaster High School, attended the University of Cincinnati for Advertising Art, received her Bachelor’s degree in Educational Media from Wright State University, and her Master’s degree in Library Science from Kent State University. She was a faithful member and librarian for 53 years at Cross Point Vineyard Church in Centerville, where she influenced many people through her prayers and encouragement. Pat volunteered for the Centerville & Springboro Historical Societies, taught Sunday School, and enjoyed reading, scrapbooking, playing the piano, gardening, and spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She stayed fit by walking and through her water aerobics classes, where she had many special friends.

Visitation will be held Thursday, October 29, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Cross Point Vineyard Church, 38 North Main Street, Centerville, with the funeral service following at 1:00 p.m. officiated by Rev. William Browning. Final resting place will be at Miami Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery. Masks and Social Distancing required. LIVESTREAM will be available through Facebook Live. To send condolences to the family, go to www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.