Ann (Sparks) Howard

Funeral services for Ann (Sparks) Howard, 94, of Junction City will be held at 12 p.m., Monday, November 29, 2010 at the Ward Chapel A.M.E., 1711 N. Jefferson St., with Pastor Viola Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Fort Riley Cemetery. Mrs. Howard passed away on Friday, November 19, 2010 at the Good Shepherd Hospice House in Manhattan, KS.

Visitation will be take place on Saturday, November 27, 2010 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Chapel, 805 Caroline Avenue and the Eastern Star Grand Chapter Funeral Service will take place at 12:00 noon. Memorial donations in honor of Mrs. Howard may be made to "Ward Chapel, A.M.E. Church."

She was born February 4, 1916, in Cleburne, Texas, the daughter of the late Edward & Hazel Sparks. In 1957, she married Joseph Fitzgerald Howard, of New Orleans, Louisiana, who precedes her in death.

Mrs. Howard was a civic and community volunteer. Her community involvement included serving as Geary County Democratic Party Fourth Ward Committeewoman; Grand Worth Matron, the highest office of the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star for the state of Kansas; and Illustrious Commandress of Oasis Court No. 44, Daughters of Isis, in Topeka, Kansas, where she was honored nationally as an Honorary Past Imperial Commandress, among many activities.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Howard was also preceded in death by her sister Hubbard Stell of Dallas, Texas. She leaves no immediate family members.