Dorothy M. Howard, 81, Iola, passed away Sunday, July 21, 2013, at Windsor Place Nursing Home after a brief illness with cancer. Dorothy was born in Coffeyville on Jan. 16, 1932, the daughter of Clarence and Loretta Carr. She graduated from Field Kindley High School in 1950. After high school she graduated from Parsons Junior College.
She married Dwight Howard on Aug. 23, 1953. They were a few weeks away from celebrating their 60th anniversary. They were blessed with four daughters, Linda, Cathy, Janie and Annette.
Because of her love of children in 1970 she started Tiny Tot Preschool. For the next 30 years more than 1,000 preschoolers benefited from her guidance. The love of youth also extended into her Christianity by being involved and directing Sunday School and Vacation Bible School for many years. Because of this, the church honored her with its Christian Woman of the Year in 2009. After her retirement she still continued her love of teaching by mentoring the next generation of preschool educators at Kids’ Kingdom. Dwight and Dorothy’s love of education inspired their four daughters to choose education as a career.
She was active in Sorosis, her birthday club, Beta Sigma Phi and her coffee group. She was an elder and deacon in church.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother Jimmy; and two brother-in-laws, Kenneth Richardson and Vernon Howard. She is survived by her husband Dwight; a sister Barbara Richardson from Texas; her daughters Linda Lawson, Olathe, Cathy Morrell and husband Jack, Iola, Janie Watts and husband Robert, Nevada, Mo., Annette Vogel and husband Matt, Lee’s Summit, Mo.; nine grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.
The funeral service will be at 2 p.m., Wednesday, at First Presbyterian Church in Iola.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery, Iola. Memorials can be made to First Presbyterian Church.
There will be no formal visitation but friends may sign the book and pay their respects from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel in Iola.
Online condolences for the family may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.
Dorothy Howard
