Melva "Jean" Howard

Melva Jean Reniker Howard, 79, died Saturday, January 14th, 2017, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. We are sad to lose her beautiful sweet spirit, but thankful that her suffering is over and her freedom is won. Jean accepted her call to Christ at an early age and lived an exemplary Christian life with commitment, integrity, and faith, traits that were with her until her final breath. Jean was born in Tulare, California, on September 15th, 1937. After graduating Tulare Union High School and College of the Sequoias, she married Jimmy Lew Howard on September 20th, 1957. After setting up life in Tulare, they moved to the Bay Area for a couple years before settling in Modesto, California, where they raised two sons, James Craig and Ryan Barrett. Jean and Jimmy were active in their church, and Jean especially enjoyed singing in the church choir, teaching Sunday School, and supporting her sons’ many varied sports and arts activities. Jean and Jimmy were comfortable with most everyone in every situation, often entertaining and traveling with friends. The shy Jean was complimented by Jimmy, forever the extrovert, and together they enjoyed food, games, laughter, and creating memories with friends and family. Jean was a committed wife, mother, and career woman. She was an accountant and spent most of her career as a professional with Dunker and Aced, CPAs, in Modesto. After moving back to Tulare in 1998 to take care of aging parents, she worked for a short time with Adair and Evans before retiring. Shortly after retirement and just before celebrating her 50th wedding anniversary, Jean was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Jean is preceded in death by Jimmy, who passed suddenly in June 2016, parents Melvin and Alma Rogers Reniker, brother Bennie Lee Reniker, parents-in-law George and Mabel Jolley Howard, and brother-in-law Joe Howard. Jean took great joy in her 7 grandchildren, Ryan and Allyson's kids, but unfortunately, the ravages of her disease shortened their time together. She will be missed by Taylor, Lauren, Makenna, Ivy, Noah, Sam, and Zach. Jean is survived by sons Craig Howard of Sacramento and Ryan (Allyson) Howard of Fresno, sister Bobbi Reniker (Bill) Fox of Idaho, sister-in-law Sandra Avila Reniker of Washington, and Jim’s siblings Max (Nadine) Howard of Tulare, Don (Judy) Howard of Porterville, Charlie (Sharla) Howard of Visalia, Georgia (Eddie) Alberti of Tulare, sister-in-law Mary Howard of Tulare, seven grandchildren, and countless aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and friends. We will celebrate Jean’s life on Saturday, February 4th, 2017, at 10:30 AM, at Campus Bible Church (Palm Site), 222 E. Fountain Way, Fresno, CA 93704. The celebration will be followed by a light brunch. Jean’s ashes, along with Jimmy’s, will be interred at the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please con-sider making a donation to the National Alzheimer's Association @ www.alz.org/join_the_cause_donate.asp and search for Jimmy Lew and Melva Jean Howard Tribute Page OR http://act.alz.org/goto/Jimmy_Lew_Howard. A memorial tribute may be offered by logging onto www.salseranddillard.com Flowers can be delivered directly to Campus Bible Church.

Melva "Jean" Howard

September 15, 1937 - January 14, 2017