Wilma Howard

(From Parker Mortuary)

Wilma has left this world to join the love of her life, Robert E. Howard on February 1st, 2023.

Wilma was born January 16th, 1930 to Clarence & Thelma Harris, formerly of Columbus, KS., she was their only child. She and Robert were graduates of the Cherokee County Community High School, Class of 1948, Columbus, KS.

On January 24th, 1951, she and Robert were joined in Holy Matrimony. They moved to Joplin and were blessed with 4 children. One son, Rick, passed away on February 29th, 1996. Robert passed away on April 1st, 1997.

Surviving children are Chris R. Howard (Cheryle), Caran D. Baldwin (Randy), and Susan E. Johnson (Jim) all of Joplin, MO. Also surviving are grandchildren Robert E. (Robbie), Stephanie D., and Christopher R. Howard, Richard M. Worden, and Hunter A. Baldwin and Robert E. (Bobby) Worden, their only great-grandchild. She is also survived by special friends Anne Sharp, Patty Nemeth, the Martin Family and nieces Carolyn Howard and Marolyn Higgens.

Wilma worked as secretary/bookkeeper for the Cherokee County Health Department, Columbus, KS, Kansas Ordinance Plant, Parsons, KS, and the Childress Royalty Co. Joplin, MO. 

In the 60’s and early 70’s, she through the generosity of Paul Childress ran the “playroom” an indoor playground consisting of bicycles, teeter-totters, and many other amazing playground attractions, including a children’s size train that each child would get to drive and engineer the train on the tracks that ran around the circumference of the very large playroom. She did this every Tuesday afternoon for the local area children. Wilma was a member of Park Plaza Christian Church and will be dearly missed by her family and friends.

Funeral service will be held on Monday, February 6th, 2023 at Parker Mortuary at 11:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Funeral arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Parker Mortuary.