Dates
Sarah Pittman Howard was welcomed home by her Heavenly Father on February 23, after a brief illness. Born on March 11, 1920 in Slate Springs, Mississippi in the community of Dentontown, her parents Ernest and Myrtle Pittman named her Sarah Edd. She accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the age of eleven and lived the remainder of her life in service to Him.
"A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies" Proverbs 31:10. Fred D. Howard found the perfect wife at Wood Junior College in Mathiston, Mississippi and married Sarah Edd Pittman on December 24, 1940. They began life together in Fred's hometown, Fulton, MS.
When Fred was inducted into the U.S. Army and served in World War II, Sarah served as editor of her husband's newspaper, The Itawamba Times. When her husband received the call to preach, Sarah was willing to do whatever she could as a helpmate to her husband and in whatever the Lord wanted her to do. She and Fred both earned degrees from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary in 1955, with Fred earning his doctorate in Theology in 1957. Dr. and Mrs. Howard had six children when leaving seminary and spent their career years in Plainview, Texas.
In addition to a seminary degree in Religious Education, Sarah earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Wayland Baptist University in 1964, and taught in the Plainview Public School system for 17 years. During her teaching career, she had many opportunities to minister to the migrant children in her classes. She taught them English (with a Mississippi accent) and gave them her love. It was not unusual for Sarah to make extra home visits or to bring a student in need of special attention home with her for the day, or overnight.
Sarah was involved in her community serving in the American Association of University Women, Hale County Extension Homemakers, and a member of Creative Quilters Club. At their church, College Heights Baptist, she served as Sunday school teacher, president of Women's Missionary Union (WMU), and led many Vacation Bible Schools. In 1986, her church recognized her as "Mother of the Year".
Sarah never took a vacation from serving the Lord, her family, and community: it was her life. An incident that defines Sarah is the time when a woman unknown to her was driving through Plainview and involved in a car accident. Sarah held vigil in the comatose woman's hospital room until family members could arrive.
In 1991, Fred and Sarah moved to Baptist Memorials in San Angelo, where both were active members of First Baptist and involved in volunteer work. Sarah served as President of the Hospital Auxiliary and spent countless hours volunteering for the organization. She was a member of Concho Valley Quilters Guild and enjoyed the art with many friends.
"Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Many women do noble things but you surpass them all" Proverbs 31:28-29. She and Fred were married for 59 years before he preceded her in death on April 14, 2000.
Sarah leaves to celebrate her life, five children: daughters Patricia Sikes of Georgetown, TX; Katrinka Park of Ruidoso, NM; Belinda Smith and husband, Steve of Wimberley, TX.; sons, David Howard and wife, Sioux of Kingsland, TX.; Kenny Howard of Sealy, TX.; 17 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. Preceding her in death is a son, Richard Howard, two grandchildren, Brian Sikes and Melissa Howard, sons-in-law James E. Sikes and Donald Park and daughter-in-law Cynthia Duncum Howard.
"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate" Proverbs 31:30-31.
Visitation will be held, Friday, February 27, 12-1:30 followed by a celebration of life at 2:00 PM. Johnson's Funeral Home, 435 Beauregard, San Angelo, TX. 76903.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial gifts may be made to the Fred D. and Sarah Howard Endowment Scholarship, Wayland Baptist University, 1900 West 7th Street, Plainview, TX, 79072, or the charity of your choice.