Sunshine M.J. Howard

1935 - 2015

Born February 27th 1935 to Frank and Ella Gaby in Inglewood California. As a child she took lessons in piano, dance, and singing and once performed on the Lawrence Welk Show with her two best friends from high school who were all part of the group they called The Sunshine Trio. After graduating from High School she Married and began to raise her family in Bakersfield. She had 2 sons, and was a big support of all of their school and sports throughout their childhoods. She worked at Bank of America as a teller for about 20 years and was a favorite to most customers who banked there who would always smile to her as they said Hello Sunshine. She loved to dance and would make a point to get out every weekend once she was single to dance the night away for years. She had a huge heart and spent most of her last 25 years here on earth helping people that were having trouble living on their own. There was no gray area with Sunshine, she either liked you or she didn't, and she would let you know right away where you stood. She became a victim of Alzheimer's and was not able to care for herself in December of 2013 and has needed 24 hour care for past 2 years. She went down swinging as you would expect from her always fighting to try and be independent, but her body and mind wouldn't let her. She leaves behind 2 sons Steve Wiles and Brent Wiles, 5 grandchildren Chet (Kori), Desra (Matt), Tamara (Josh), Anthony (Hali), Crystal, and 11 Great Grandchildren. 2 Grandchildren preceded her Chad Wiles, Ryan Lee Wiles. She left this world and her body December 19th 2015. May she rest in peace
Memorial service will be held on Monday January 4th at 10:30 In the Kern River Family Mortuary Chapel, 1900 N. Chester Ave.