Opal Jones Howard

Opal Jones Howard age 91 of Harriman passed away Friday September 14. Born June 10, 1916 in Morgan County to John and Eliza Jones, she was a longtime member of Lakeview Baptist Church. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Laurel Chapter #22. Mrs. Howard served as a registered nurse for over 40 years. She was well-know in the Harriman community for her many years of service in her selected profession working for Dr. Thomas L. Bowman as a surgical nurse and assisting him in overseeing the care of his hospital patients. She was affectionately known as 'Champ' to her co-workers. She worked as an emergency room nurse at Harriman General Hospital until her retirement; she then continued to serve the community as a volunteer Pink Lady at the hospital. She received her training at Chamberlain Memorial Hospital in Rockwood and Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga. Early in her training career, she worked in Wheeling, West Virginia, Chattanooga, and Harriman. She will be remembered for the concern and compassion shown too all of the patients in her care. She was preceded in death by her husband, Earl R. Howard; son, Earl Russell 'Russ' Howard, JR.; sisters, Emma Payne, Esther Howard, Rena Johnson, Reba England; brothers, Will Jones, Ray Jones, Alvie Jones and infant brother, Joseph Willard Jones. She is survived by daughter and son in law Barbara and Don Graves of Harriman; son and daughter in law, Thomas L. and Carolyn Howard of Knoxville; grandsons; Brian Graves of Harriman and Mark Graves and wife Amy of Signal Mountain; granddaughters Jill Howard of Knoxville, Jennifer Kirkpatrick and husband Keith of Knoxville, Janet Elrod and husband Scott of Knoxville, and Jane Howard of Knoxville; great granddaughters Molly and Lila Elrod of Knoxville, great grandson; Jake Graves of Signal Mountain, several nieces and nephews, and special friends and caregivers Ruby Jacks and Angie Moore. The family extends special thanks to Dr Miriam Tedder and staff, Housecall Home Health Care and Life Care Center of Wartburg for their loving care during her illness. Funeral service 7 PM Monday in the chapel of Kyker Funeral Home in Harriman with Rev. Mason Goodman and Rev. Tim Shelton officiating. Interment 11 AM Tuesday in Roane Memorial Gardens. The family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7 PM Monday at Kyker Funeral Home in Harriman

Opal Jones Howard

September 15, 2007