Carolyn Marie Howard

Carolyn Marie "Hanks" Howard was born March 28th, 1936. She passed peacefully January 6th , 2026 with her children by her side. Raised in Alabama, she split her time between her grandparents farm in Georgianna and the streets of Mobile. As a young woman she loved going to Mardi Gras and dances at the naval base with her friends. She was a southern girl through and through, even though she spent most of her life in Michigan. After graduating from high school in Mobile in 1954, she stayed there until she met a handsome traveling salesman in early 1958. After a brief long distance romance, Carolyn married Bob Howard on July 26th, 1958. They moved to Plainwell, MI where they raised three children, Pam, Marc, and Karen. 

Carolyn was a stay at home Mom until her youngest started school. She then spent many years working, first at Shakespeare as a data processor, and then at Borgess Hospital as a computer operator until her retirement. She loved to read, sew, and cook. Many times cooking large meals so she could share with her family and friends. Her family would tell you that she made the best pie crust ever. She loved to watch baseball and she loved going to musicals and the theater. She could sit for hours visiting with her friends and she was a professional level shopper. She was also a life long member of The First United Methodist Church.

Once she became a Nana, that was her life. She would drop everything to walk a grandkid to the creek, and her treat jar was always full. She went to their extra curricular activities and there always seemed to be a grandkid or two spending the night at her house. She was happiest when her house was filled with her family. Carolyn created a home that was always a home, long after all the kids were grown. She leaves them all with so many loving memories. She was so loved and will be greatly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing her. 

Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents, brother, and husband. She is survived by her three children, and eight grandchildren, Miguel and Ricardo Fernandez, Paige Allen, Kyleigh, Cobi, Ally, Elijah Howard, and Landon Murphy. 

Cremation has taken place according to her wishes and a graveside burial will take place June 6th at Hillside Cemetary.