Barbara Lou Howard (Webster) passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, September 13, 2026, surrounded by her family, with the kind nursing support of Sentara Hospice Services, following a very full life.
She was born in Roanoke, Virginia, to Daniel and Gertrude Webster (Nash). She is survived by her husband of nearly 72 years, William Emmett Howard; their son James and his wife Debbie, and their children, Katie and her daughters Anne and Kennedy, Jacob, and Josiah, as well as their daughter-in-law Tina (David’s wife/widow), and their two sons: Nathanael and his wife Kristy, and Jonathan.
Barbara is preceded in death by her parents and all eight siblings: Alice Frances, Samuel Eugene, Daniel Ammon, Betty Irene, James Price, Harold, Catherine June, and Vivian Marie.
She worked for the US Government at the Norfolk Naval Base and retired in 1994. But her heart's work was supporting her family and the Church through a variety of ministries across her lifetime, including church nursery work (establishing white uniforms and stringent health and safety protocols), adult fellowship groups, and various ministries at Brook Baptist Church, serving alongside her son, David, and his family through the community food bank program.
One of her favorite personal events was performing in a Christmas musical at First Baptist Church, Norfolk, along with live animals, including a camel!
She loved reading with books overflowing the bookshelves, but those are only eclipsed by family photos she lovingly places and rearranges with each new addition.
She will be dearly missed by all who love her, but they are comforted knowing that she is now in the presence of her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.
A visitation will be held at Rosewood-Kellum Funeral Home, 601 North Witchduck Road, Virginia Beach, VA 23462, US, on September 17, 2026, beginning at 1:30 pm, followed by a funeral service at 2:00 pm.
