Mary Lynn Howard, 54, of Marion, passed away Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion, IL.
Mary was born July 17, 1967, in Centralia, the daughter of Richard and Laverne (Mercer) Bowlby. She married Keith Howard in Centralia on October 24, 1992, and he survives her in Marion.
In addition to her husband Keith Howard, Mary is survived by one son: Corey Bowlby of Marion; one daughter: KyLee Howard of Marion; one sister: Nancy Bowlby of Marion; two brothers: Richard Bowlby and fiancé Ruth Ann of Odin and John Bowlby of St. Louis; two brothers-in-law: Timothy Atchison of Centralia and Charles Atchison of Centralia; three nieces and nephews: Timothy Bowlby of Centralia, Brittani Bowlby of Centralia, and Bradley Bowlby of Centralia; and many great-nieces and nephews.
Mary was preceded in death by her parents: Richard and Laverne Bowlby; one brother: Tracy Dale Bowlby; grandparents: George and Viola Mercer; mother and father-in-law: Brenda Ann Lambert and Earl Edward Howard, Jr.; two grandmothers-in-law: Alvera Lambert and Clythera Howard; and one brother-in-law: William Atchison.
Mary attended Cross Community Church in Marion. She was an awesome soccer mom and completely devoted to taking care of Corey. She enjoyed crafting door wreaths and knitting. She loved dragonflies and her cats: Willow and Bella. She was strong-willed and independent. She loved her family and will be dearly missed by them.
Services for Mary Howard will be held on Monday, August 30, 2021, at Sutherland Garnier Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Steve Upchurch officiating. Burial will follow at Elmwood Cemetery in Centralia. Visitation will be held Monday, August 30, 2021, from 11:00 a.m. till the time of the service at 1:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Due to the recent CDC Guidelines, facemasks and social distancing will be observed while in the facility. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be received by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home at 235 North Sycamore Street in Centralia, IL 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to the Howard family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home’s Facebook page.
