Karen Howard

Karen E. Howard Karen E. (Wingo) Howard, 56, of Chillicothe, passed away 2:05 pm , October 15, 2008, following a courageous battle with cancer. She now resides safe in her Master's arms. Funeral services will be held 6:00 pm Sunday in Zion Baptist Church, Rev. J. Troy Gray officiating. Graveside services will be held 10:00 am Monday in Greenlawn Cemetery. Friends may call 4-6 pm Sunday at Zion Baptist Church. She was born March 2, 1952 in Chillicothe to John Homer Wingo and Betty Ann (Powell) Wingo, who survives. Karen married her high school sweetheart, Perry A. Howard, on July 10, 1970. In addition to her husband and mother, survivors include daughters, Keri (Derek) Dewitt, of Lindenhurst, IL and Kelly Howard, of Chillicothe; grandchildren, Jayson Howard, Kristian Dewitt, Kendall Dewitt, Dayna Dewitt, Karighan Howard, Deonna Dewitt, and Johnathan Howard; sisters, Marilyn Lowe and Kathy Wingo; a brother, Otis Wingo; a host of nieces; nephews; aunts and uncles; her mother-in-law, Mary Howard; brothers-in-law, Bryan and Larry Howard; sisters-in-law, Robyn and Andrea Howard, and Angie Russel; five aunts and uncles, who were considered special, Norma and Lewis Smith, Lovada and Ronnie Cousins, Christina and Garrett Duncan, Lucille and Bill Lee and Nedra and Dana Valentine. She was preceded in death by her father and a sister, Sharon A. Powell. Karen started her career with Horizon in 1969 as a co-op Student Cashier in the Commercial Department. In 1973, she was named Customer Service Representative. She also held titles as Business Services Representative, Jr. Service Order Clerk, and Sr. Service Order Clerk. Karen began overseeing the company's directory in 1996 as Directory Representative and was promoted later to Service Order/Directory Administrator. In 2006, Karen was promoted to Print/Media Coordinator. During her career with Horizon she received many perfect attendance awards. She was recognized by the United Way of Ross Co., receiving the Jean Dolan Community Volunteer Award for outstanding service and volunteerism. She has served as the company's editor for The Communicator and worked on several company committees. Karen was a dedicated member and involved in many ministries of Zion Baptist Church. She enjoyed serving with the Choir, JOY ministry, on the Praise Team, the flag ministry, which is now named in her honor, "The Karen Howard Flag Ministry", and as Chairwoman of the Deaconess Board. Karen worked on the church website and directory. She loved the Lord and doing his Kingdom business. She was loved by her family and touched the lives of many. She will be sadly missed, and forever remembered in our hearts. She never met a stranger.
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