II Timothy 4:7-8a I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness...

Mrs. Thelma Joyce Thomas Howard, age 73, Ewing, Virginia passed away Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at her residence with her family by her side.

Mrs. Howard was born January 21, 1939 in Ewing, Virginia. She was a daughter of the late Jim Syl & Vola Elizabeth Brooks Thomas. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Howard was also preceded in death by four sisters, Rutha Virginia Thomas, Mary Lynn Thomas, Iva Jean Flowers and Jewell Bays.

She was a member of Ewing First Baptist Church, where she enjoyed helping with the Meal and Beaverment Ministries.

Thelma was an avid quilter, enjoyed gardening and canning her own vegetables, keeping her lawn mowed, hosting her family reunion, and having the annual "Easter Egg Hunt" at her home. She was a very loving and giving person, always enjoyed giving more than receiving. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband of 51 years, Walter Daniel Howard, Ewing; two sons and daughters-in-law, Timothy Alan & Kim Davis Howard, Nazareth, Pennsylvania and Thomas Weston & Brenda Jones Howard, Jonesborough, Tennessee; grandchildren, Jonathan Thomas Howard (Morgan), Joshua Weston Howard (Ashley), Jared Lee Howard (Chelsey) and Ashley Markel (Doug), Robbie Rigole, Kayla Rigole and Brandon Rigole; great-grandchildren, Jacob Weston Howard, Elsie Rose Markel and Jaidyn Marie Howard; brothers, Rondal Thomas, Raymond Thomas, John Thomas and J.S. Thomas (Emma Kate); sisters, Mildred Dixon, Jane Jones (Joe) and Elizabeth Zastrow; and many cousins, nephews and nieces.

The family would like to extend a very special thanks to her loving and caring sister, Elizabeth Zastrow, two very special nieces, Becky Day and Mary Brown, for their wonderful loving care during her illness.

The family will receive friends from 5:00-8:00 pm Friday, April 20, 2012 at the Arney-Mullins Funeral Home in Rose Hill, VA.

Funeral services will be conducted noon, Saturday, April 21, 2012 at Ewing First Baptist Church with Pastor David Wade officiating. Interment will follow at Richmond Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Mike Day, Dennis Brown, Noel Hall, Allen Payne, Sonny Brooks , Burt Reddinger, Mike Welch and Phil Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be Larry Smith, Bill Brown, Patrick Houck, and Charles Janeway.

Memorial donations may be made to Ewing First Baptist Church P.O. Box 277 Ewing, VA 24248 or The Gideons International P.O. Box 372 Mountain Home, TN 37684-0372