James Lee Howard

JAMES "JIMMY" LEE HOWARD, age 78 of Decatur, passed away, Wednesday, June 20, 2018 at Starr Regional Medical Center-Athens. He was a native of Meigs County, Tenn., resident of McMinn County, Tenn. a son of the late Robert Franklin  and Edna Inez O'Daniel Howard.  He was retired from Shaw Industries and a member of Idlewild Baptist Church. 

Preceded in death by

• Sister: Shirley Richesin.

Survivors:

• Wife of 56 years: Elizabeth Jean Clark Howard of Decatur, Tenn.
• Daughter and son-in-law: Jeannia Howard and Eric Bell of Athens, Tenn.
• Three Grandchildren: Jessica Bell, Tyler Thearp and Andrew Thearp and wife Rachel
• Great Grandchildren: Joshua and Brian Thearp
• Several nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will 7:00 P.M. Saturday, June 23, 2018 in the Chapel of Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home with Rev. Van Elkins officiating.

Interment will be 1:30 P.M. Sunday, June 24, 2018 in Idlewild Cemetery.

Active pallbearers will be Mike Jones, Brent Jones, Gary Swafford, Darrell Swafford, Andrew Thearp, and Tyler Thearp.

The family  will receive friends from 5-7 Saturday in the funeral home.

Those unable to attend may send condolences at www.laycock-hobbs.com/notices/James-Howard.

Laycock-Hobbs Funeral Home, Athens, Tenn. in charge of arrangements.