Harvey "Buster" F. Howard

Mr. Harvey F. “Buster” Howard, 82, of Shuqualak, MS passed away at his residence in Shuqualak, MS on Friday, January 18, 2019.  A funeral service

Is planned for Monday, January 21, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. at Macedonia Methodist Church in Shuqualak,  MS.  Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Visitation will be held at the church one hour prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Macedonia Cemetery Fund,       Honey Lake Rd,  Shuqualak, MS  39361. Cockrell Funeral Home is honored to be entrusted with arrangements. .

Buster was born in Gholson, Mississippi on the fourth of June 1936, the youngest child of Mack and Mammie Howard. Being the youngest of six children, he had a mind of his own.   Always finding trouble wherever he went, he always managed to somehow get out of it.

Buster served in the army for two years.  He shared with others that if they planned to serve to make friends with the cook.

Buster was known as one of the best power saw operators in the area.  He worked for several individuals running a saw,   cutting logs.  He later on was a laborer at Delta Brick and at his retirement, after 35 years, was a shipping supervisor. He retired for the soul purpose of being involved more in his grandchildren's life.

He was a member of Macedonia Methodist Church where he served as a lay leader, song leader, and Sunday School teacher. He was known for his bold voice and joyful spirit. He loved a good gospel singing.

He was very involved in the young people in the church and as they grew up, he also enjoyed being involved in the lives of their children. He also mentored young men who needed  someone to talk to.

He was married 55 years to the love of his life Earline Howard.  They had three daughters: Karen (Lonnie) Fortner, Port Gibson, MS , Dawn (Ward) Hill, Shuqualak, MS, and Christy (Jerry) Ferguson, Philadelphia, MS.  Six grandchildren: Beth and Lee Fortner, Eli and Logan Hill, Leah and Nicole Ferguson. Buster had many nieces and nephews. Many who found refuge in his home.   Buster taught his daughters to have a strong work ethic.  That could be working in the garden, woods or the yard.  He stated that you never got fired for being early, just for being late, this also has been shared with his grandchildren.

He, along with his wife, enjoyed attending concerts, plays, ball games, and graduations of his grandchildren.  Buster said that one of the most beautiful sights he had ever seen was Mt. Rainer and he wanted to share that experience with his grandchildren.   In 2011, he had the opportunity to view this beautiful sight.  It was a great opportunity for him to see the grandkids play in the snow in July.

If you visited him you would find him reading a Louis L'Amour book with a dip in his mouth.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was a giving man and was always generous to friends and neighbors.

He was a story teller beginning his story with the phrase "I won't never forget".

At the age of 82, the whole room stopped when he started to speak, because everyone wanted to hear what he had to say. Everyone that knew him, knew that he loved Jesus, his family, and life.

He is preceded death by his parents and his siblings: Wilma Thompson,   Gilbert Howard, ,  Linda Thompson, Delsie Rigdon and  Olga Chaney