Claude Harrison Howard

Claude Harrison Howard, 90, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021 at Cotton Grove Estates surrounded by his loving family.

A resident of Jesup for the past fifty years, Harris was born on March 3, 1930 in Ludowici to the late Dennis Leroy and Katie Simmons Howard.  He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict as a communications repair specialist eventually attaining the rank of Sergeant and receiving the Bronze Star.  He was discharged from duty on July 4, 1952, one year from the day he was married.  After returning home, Harris worked for Rayonier  for a short time before taking a position with Interstate Paper in the late 1960’s from which he would retire with nearly thirty years of service.  He was a longtime member of the First Baptist Church of Jesup where he was actively involved in the Golden Ruler’s Sunday School Class.  Harris was also a member of the Altamaha Lodge #227 F&AM, the Jesup Kiwanis, the Flatwoods Hunting Club and the Wayne County Hospital Authority.  He loved the outdoors and spent countless hours on the river and in the woods hunting, fishing and cooking these fish for the ones he loved.  In addition to his parents, his wife, Virginia Wade Howard, and his siblings, Dennis Howard, Jean Lovell, Robert “Bobby” Howard, Austin Howard and Nancy Fuller all preceded him in death.

Survivors include his daughters and sons-in-law, Lynne and George Stafford and Carmen and Carey Jones all of Jesup; one brother and sister-in-law, Wayne and Gwen Howard of Hazlehurst; grandchildren, Dr. Leslie Gordon and husband, Rob of Athens, Josh Stafford and wife, Elise of Athens, Virginia “Ginny” Jones of Los Angeles, Anna Lynne Pittard and husband, Matt of Jesup and Carlie Poppell and husband, Jacob of Jesup; five great grandchildren, Kalynne Hiers, Gracie Stafford, Lily Gordon, Will Gordon, Jep Poppell and Lucy Kate Jones and one great great grandchild, Rowen Hiers.  A host of nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family members also survive.

Graveside funeral services will be at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 13, 2021 at Baggs Cemetery in Ludowici with Reverend Dr. Michael VonMoss and Reverend Josh Stafford officiating.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Golden Ruler’s Sunday School Class and staff of Cotton Grove Estate.

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to First Baptist Church of Jesup, P.O. Box 1115, Jesup, GA 31598.

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