Flo Howard

(From Parker Mortuary)

Agnes Florene “Flo” (Sill) Howard, age 92, of Joplin, Missouri, passed away peacefully at 8:35 p.m. Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at her daughter's residence.

Flo was born on January 3, 1934, in rural Jasper County, Missouri on the Sill family farm to the late Dewey H. and Ethel (Hayes) Sill.

Flo attended Joplin schools and graduated in 1951. During high school, Flo expressed her love of music by playing the violin in the school orchestra and drums in the band. Following graduation, she enrolled at St. John’s School of Nursing in Joplin, Missouri, earning her Registered Nurse degree in May 1954. Her nursing career included surgical nursing positions in Joplin, Washington, D.C., and Indiana, reflecting both her skill and dedication to caring for others.

On September 12, 1954, Flo married John E. “Eldon” Howard at Central City Christian Church in Joplin. Together, they built a life grounded in faith, family, and service. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2004, surrounded by family and friends. Flo devoted herself fully to raising their five children and later found great joy in watching her grandchildren grow and traveling with Eldon on bus tours.

Flo was a devoted community leader, serving as an adult leader of the Greenwood 4-H Club for more than 25 years. Through her leadership, she helped generations of children and teens learn practical skills such as cooking, sewing, art, bicycle safety, and animal showmanship at the Newton County Fair. More importantly, she instilled values of resilience, adaptability, responsibility, and readiness for life and work. Flo also volunteered at the American Rehabilitation Ministry (ARM Prison Outreach) and as a Poll Worker for Newton County. She also spent many hours at the senior center, where she enjoyed visiting with friends.

Her faith in God was central to her life. Flo faithfully attended Central City Christian Church and later Duenweg Christian Church, where she volunteered her time and sang in the church choir. She lived her faith quietly and consistently, never seeking recognition, yet leaving a lasting impact on all who knew her through her kindness, gentle spirit, and unwavering dedication to family and community.

She is survived by her children: daughter-in-law Nancy Howard (widow of Brad), Charlene Sheets (Gary) of Carthage; Beth Beckett (Biff) of Sarcoxie; John Howard (Janie) of Bentonville, Arkansas; and Burnelle Roser of West Shokan, New York; along with nine grandchildren Keri Howard, Kristi Bennett (Cody), Jenny Madsen (Sam), Amanda Hollars (Lee), Deke Beckett (Trisha), Josh Beckett (Rachel), Jared Howard (Emily), Jason Howard (Shay), Adrianna Roser, and nineteen great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Eldon Howard; her son, Brad Howard; her son-in-law, Chris Roser; and an infant grandson, Zachariah Wayne Sheets.

The family will receive relatives and friends for visitation on February 27 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. at Parker Mortuary Chapel in Joplin. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m., followed by interment at Ozark Memorial Park Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direct care of Parker Mortuary in Joplin, MO.