Berneice Howard

Berneice Southerland Howard passed away on June 27, 2015. She was born on January 15, 1923, in Hot Springs, Arkansas to Carl and Vada Southerland. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Jennings Howard; her brothers, Fred, Elza, and Leroy Southerland and her sister, Bonnie Rose. She is survived by her brother, Carl Wayne Southerland of Bossier City, Louisiana; her daughters and sons-in-law Martha and Bob Humbard of Hot Springs Village, Arkansas; Marikay and Gerald Tillett of Huntsville, Alabama; and Michelle and Cary Cox of Little Rock, Arkansas. She cherished her grandchildren Lauren Coffelt; Dr. Stephen Humbard and his wife Alicia; Evan Johnson; and Elizabeth, Andrew, and David Cox. She delighted in her great-grandchildren Taylor and Aidan Humbard and Marissa, Weston, and Vivienne Coffelt. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly. Next to God and her family, her church was her priority. Berneice was a member of Tyler Street Baptist Church for more than 60 years. Her devotion to her church was an inspiring example of commitment. Her Tyler Street family was a special blessing to her. At the time of her death, she was a member of Calvary Baptist Church. As the wife of a World War II Army officer, she was part of the Greatest Generation. She survived long separations and the critical wounding of her husband. She encouraged and supported him during his lengthy rehabilitation. She was a devoted wife and mother and an avid Razorback basketball fan. The family is grateful to the doctors and nurses at the Baptist Health Emergency Department for their care and kindness; Bill Bloodworth and his staff at Park West Pharmacy; Dr. David Jones for his loving care; and her grandson, Dr. Stephen Humbard for his attention to her health. We would especially like to thank Dr. Richard Calhoun and the staff at Autumn Road Family Practice for their many years of devoted care to our mother. Additional thanks to Beverly and Jimmy Williams; Rhonda Jackson; Sophie Britton; and her friends at Shepherd's Cove, who loved her. Visitation will be Tuesday, June 30, 2015 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Griffin Leggett Healey and Roth Funeral Home, 5800 West 12th Street. Funeral service will be at the funeral home on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at 10 a.m. Interment will follow at 3 p.m. at Memorial Gardens in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Memorials may be made to the Tyler Street Baptist Church Scholarship Fund, Ouachita Baptist University, P.O. Box 3754, Arkadelphia, Arkansas 71998. www.griffinleggetthealeyroth.com.