Dovie Virginia Howard, 83, of Weiner, Arkansas, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, October 18, 2025, surrounded by her loved ones.
Born on May 19, 1942, in Balch, Arkansas, Dovie was the daughter of the late Robert and Elsie (Welty) Barker. She received her education through middle school and devoted her life to her family and home as a proud homemaker.
On February 21, 1958, she married the love of her life, William “Bill” Howard. Together they shared a beautiful life full of love and memories until his passion on February 6, 2020.
Dovie was a faithful member of Midway church of Christ and remained devoted to the Lord throughout her life. She found joy in simple pleasures- fishing, sewing, camping, gardening, and cooking- but her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially caring for her grandchildren, who brought endless light into her life.
Dovie was preceded in death by her beloved husband, William “Bill” Howard; her parents; two sisters, Charlene Price and Janey Barker; four brothers, William, Calvin, Kenny, and Jimmy Barker; and one nephew, Jerry Lee Raby.
She is survived by her four children, Amanda Gillespie Wayne Howard, both of the home, Judy (Tony) Sitzer of Weiner, and Rayburn (Lynda) Howard of Beedeville; and her loving sister, Minnie (Bobby) Moore. She also leaved behind seven cherished grandchildren, Angel (Patrick) Howard of Trumann, Stevie Gosney of the home, Cynthia (Ben) Stover of Weiner, Anthony (Tara) Sitzer of Grubbs, Caitlin (Garrett) Sitzer of Weiner, Nicholas (Gracelynn) Sitzer of Weiner, and Rachel (Cody) Tate of Jonesboro. She was blessed with sixteen great-grandchildren, with another on the way, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends who will all deeply miss her.
Dovie will be remembered for her unwavering faith, selfless love and the gentle strength she carried throughout her life. Her legacy will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.
Friends may visit at Jackson’s Funeral Home on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, beginning at 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at Midway Church of Christ, with Mr. Ben Stover officiating. Interment will follow in Balch-Johnston Cemetery.
Those honored to serve as pallbearers are Anthony Sitzer, Nicholas Sitzer, Garrett Carmack, Patrick Fitzgerald, Chris Sitzer, Tony Sitzer, and Cody Tate. Honorary pallbearers are Todd Howard, Ben Stover, Stevie Gosney, Chuckie Wright, and Brian-Dale Davis.
Arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home.
