Celia Jane Talbert Howard passed away at her home in Floyd, Virginia surrounded by her loving family on July 3, 2023 at the age of 88. She contracted COVID while recovering at the local nursing home from a fractured pelvis due to a fall in May. Following unsuccessful treatment for COVID at a local hospital she came home on hospice.
While her given name was Celia, her family and friends always knew her as Betty. She had many adventures in life, but most important to her was Brown, her soulmate of 58 years, and her family. Coming from a small town in West Virginia, the life of an Air Force officer’s wife was a big change, as was living in Germany, Las Vegas, and various bases throughout Southeast USA. This is when Betty learned the art of entertaining, as that was an essential aspect of military life for her.
After her husband’s retirement from an Air Force career as a fighter pilot, they initially lived in Myrtle Beach, SC. Their next adventure was moving to the mountains of Floyd, VA, and building a house on the family property that she helped design and decorate. Betty was proud to be a homemaker and enjoyed hosting celebrations with family and friends, including her sisters wedding. Her home and grounds were even featured several times in newspapers. She was surprised by, and always appreciated all the positive comments she received at the open house events associated with these publications.
Betty joined the Presbyterian Church of Floyd in 1975 and regularly attended services until her health made it too difficult. In spite of her mobility issues, she continued her communion with God and was always interested in long discussions on the subject with her family and friends.
Betty was preceded in death by her husband Brown Grattan Howard III; son Brown Grattan Howard IV; parents, Okey and Nora Talbert; sisters, Louise Pane, Flora Davis, Onalee Talbert; and brothers, Jimmy, Johny, Okey and Donald Talbert. She is survived by her son Michael Howard and wife Kristina; daughter-in-law Susan Howard; grandchildren, David Howard and wife Kristen, Jason Howard and wife Kirsty; great-grandchild Hannah Howard; sisters, Hazel Thacker and husband Herbert, and Lorene Cloninger; brothers, Delbert Talbert and wife Dortha, and Wallace Talbert; and many dear nieces, nephews and friends.
There will be a graveside service at Jacksonville Cemetery, 120 Parkway Ln S, Floyd, VA 24091, at 2 pm on August 19, 2023 with Rev. Robert McLavey officiating. The family will receive friends at the fellowship hall of the Presbyterian Church of Floyd following the service.
Betty desired that any remembrances be directed to the Presbyterian Church of Floyd (www.pcfloyd.org), 169 Newtown Road, Floyd, VA 24091; or, a tree can be planted in remembrance of Betty (see instructions for the Sympathy Store following The Roanoke Times/Legacy obituary).
Maberry Funeral Home served the Howard family in this time of great sorrow with excellent care.
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