Janet Howe

(From Parker Mortuary)

Janet Ruth Howe, age 63, Joplin, passed away on Saturday, November 14, 2020 at Mercy of Joplin after a lengthy illness.

Janet was born August 25, 1957 in Joplin, daughter of the late Ernest Spencer and Vergie Forsyth Spencer. She grew up in Joplin and graduated from Memorial High School in 1975. 

She worked for the Joplin R VIII School District as a crossing guard, and also enjoyed her time working with the disabled at Vantage Point Day Program, and later Preferred Family Healthcare. She was instrumental in the establishment of Jesus Lighthouse Church in Joplin, and was currently attending Pentecostal Life Center.

In addition to her parents, Janet was preceded in death by a sister, Kathleen Caywood.

Survivors include her husband, Lanny Howe; children, LeAnn Young and husband Richard of Joplin, Brittany Kennedy and husband Joseph of Carl Junction, David Brien and wife Rebecca of Springfield, Missouri, Lesli Strzelecki and husband Michael, Krista Webb and husband Cody, and Nathan Howe all of Joplin; brother, Ernest Spencer, Jr. of Carthage; sister, Barbara Jo Carr and husband Bryan of Joplin; grandchildren, Josie, Anna, Marshall, Reese, Aubrey, Aiden, Riley, Micah, Zoey, David, Jr., Malaki, Emma, Lily, Barrett, and Kolton; great-grandchildren, Paislee and Nathaniel.

A special thanks from the family to LeAnn, who worked diligently to take care of her mother the last couple of years.

Funeral service will be Thursday, November 19, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. in Parker Mortuary Chapel with Pastor Jarrod Jones officiating. Interment will follow in Osborne Memorial Cemetery with Reese Thomas, Malaki Brien, Richard Young, David Brien, Nathan Howe, and Cody Webb serving as pallbearers.

The family will receive friends at Parker Mortuary on Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.