Birden S. Howard

Birden Sandidge Howard Junior of Augusta, GA formally of Luxora, AR was born October 19, 1945 to Flossie Howard Thomas and Birden Sandidge, Sr. in Birdsong, AR; shortly after his birth, his mother married Lee Oscar Thomas, who was his surrogate father and mentor.

Birden was a 1964 graduate of George W. Carver High School, upon graduation he immediately enlisted into the US Army and later retired in 1984. He confessed a hope in Christ at an early age and after all the moving around he became a member of Harmony Baptist Church in Augusta, GA under the leadership of Pastor Woodrow Miller. Birden was artistically gifted and enjoyed drawing, listening to music, cooking, and especially interacting with family at various occasions.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Lee and Flossie Thomas; three brothers Arthur Lee Thomas, Tea Otis Thomas, and Danny Robert Thomas; three sisters Ella Smith, Betty Thomas, and Myrtle Thomas; and one grandchild Andrew Taylor, Jr.

He leaves to cherish his memories, his wife, Gaynelle Nowlin Howard, three daughters: Tarra (Andrew Taylor, Sr) and Lisa Corbett of Memphis, Tennessee, Ashley Freeman of Indianapolis, IN; four sons: Paul Tarver, James Lloyd, and Christopher Lloyd of Indianapolis, IN, and Van Howard of Savannah, GA; 27 grandchildren, four great grandchildren, two godchildren, and five sisters: Lillie Lucas of Blytheville, AR, Mary Ollison and Rosie Davenport of Jonesboro, AR, Ruby Estell of Luxora AR, and Brittney Thomas of Pflugerville, TX, and a god sister, Katherine Warren of Luxora, AR. He leaves one brother, Kedtrick Thomas of Luxora, AR and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends."