Obituary of Claudell Howard

Graveside services for Claudell Howard, 78, Arp, will be at 3:00 pm, Sunday, March 16, at Mason Cemetery, Arp, with Reverend Doctor Ron Klingsick officiating. Arrangements are under direction of Cottle-Pearson Funeral Home, Overton. Mr. Howard died Thursday, March 13, 2014 in Tyler. He was born December 14, 1935 in Smith County to the late Jefferson Davis Howard and Annie Lou Calicutt Howard. He married Nita Simmons July 4, 1954 in Durant, Oklahoma and moved to Arp in 1955. He was a Tool Pusher for Gibson Drilling Co. of Kilgore for 32 years and a member and Master Mason of Canton Lodge #98, of Arp, for over 50 years. Besides his parents, he was also preceded in death by a sister, Corrie Moseley. Survivors include his wife of 59 years, Nita Howard, Arp; two sons and daughters-in-law, Jimmy Dale and Carla Howard, Maumelle, Arkansas, and Mike and Melissa Howard, Bulverde, Texas; a daughter and son-in-law, Claudette and Buddy Barnett, Arp; nine grandchildren, and sixteen great grandchildren. Pallbearers will be grandsons, Brock Foster, Patrick Hurst, Jordan Howard, Trent Howard, Clayton Barnett, and Garrett Howard. The family will receive friends at the funeral home, Saturday, March 15, 2014 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of East Texas, 4111 E. University, Blvd, Tyler, Texas 75701.