Jan-Howard-Obituary

Photo courtesy of Woodfin Funeral Chapel - Murfreesboro

Jan Howard

Mar 13, 1929 – Mar 28, 2020 (Age 91)

About

BORN
March 13, 1929
DIED
March 28, 2020
AGE
91

Obituaries

Woodfin Funeral Chapel - Murfreesboro Obituary

Grand Ole Opry member Jan Howard died peacefully on Saturday March 28, 2020 in Gallatin, Tennessee, at the age of 91. She had been a member of the Opry for 49 years, inducted on March 27, 1971.


Jan’s music career launched in 1960 with her first major country hit “The One You Slip Around With.” That led to more than 20 Top 40 solo singles including “Evil on Your Mind,” “Bad Seed,” and “Count Your Blessings, Woman.” Her single “My Son” began as a letter to her son Jimmy in Vietnam, who was killed in action in 1968.



Many years later, her work with the armed forces, mental health, the Veterans Administration, Vietnam veterans, and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial earned her the Tennessee Adjutant General’s Distinguished Patriot Medal, its highest civilian honor.


In 2005, the Commander in Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars presented her with the Medal of Merit, which is awarded for “exceptional service rendered to country, community and mankind.”



Jan also enjoyed success as a songwriter writing big hits for others like Kitty Wells (“It’s All Over But the Crying”), Connie Smith (“I Never Once Stopped Loving You”) and Bill Anderson’s (“Love Is a Sometimes Thing”). Jan joined Anderson’s syndicated TV show and tour, and the two topped the charts with the smash “For Loving You.”


She chronicled her life and career in her acclaimed autobiography Sunshine and Shadow: My Story.



“Jan Howard was a force of nature in country music, at the Opry, and in life,” said Grand Ole Opry Vice President and Executive Producer Dan Rogers. “We were all so lucky so many nights to hear her voice on stage and to catch up with her backstage. We’re all better for having had her in our lives.”


She is survived by one of her three sons, Carter A. Howard and his wife Pamela, two grandchildren, Mitsi H. Lindsay (Keith), Anita H. Simpson (Travis), and three great-grandchildren, Cole, Alli and Charlie.


Graveside services will be private with a Celebration of Life Service to be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Overwatch Alliance Veterans Foundation, 1000 North Chase Drive, Goodlettsville, TN, 37072.


Obituary information courtesy of Woodfin Memorial Chapel.

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I have been trying and trying to place her name when watching Country Family Reunion and I finally caught an episode where she sang and they put her name on the screen! Such a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. RIP Jan Howard.

God bless you Ms Jan, It would've been a pleasure meeting you. The old original country music is gone.

I loved her voice and her beauty. RIP lovely lady. From a fan.

Jan will be so sadly missed. I'll still be able to hear her from the Country Family Videos that I own.RIP.

Beautiful and classy lady. She never got above her raising. We would chat online...loved her music, loved her sweet soul. I miss her greatly.

Although I never had the honor of meeting Jan I loved to listen to her sing. The night she was informed of the loss of her son in Viet Nam I personally was so saddened by her loss and every time I listened to her re- tell the story I cried for her. And now Jan is holding her son in her arms once again as our Lord Jesus comforts them both. May God bless each and everyone of the surviving members of Jan's family. In Jesus Precious Name I Ask This if It be your will Lord Amen.

Always love her !! RIP Jan.

Jan Howard will always be in our memories for ever I always will be a big fan of her and her music even I did not know her personally I felt as if I did I’ll miss her dearly she was a very kind hearted lady .

She was a great singer