Cleo "Polly" Howard

Cleo "Polly" Howard, age 95, passed away Thursday, February 19, 2026.

Mrs. Howard was born in Carroll County, Georgia, in 1931 to the late Alvin and Emma L. Lovelady. She was preceded in death by several brothers and sisters, including twin brother, Theo. She was the last survivor of nine children in her family. She was the wife of the late James Floyd Howard who died in 2004 after 53 years of marriage.

Mrs. Howard received her education from Griffin schools, graduating from Griffin High School in 1948. After graduation, she was employed by the Department of Revenue in Atlanta. She later transferred to the Spalding County Health Department and retired as Administrator in 1991 with 34 years of service.

Mrs. Howard and her family were former members of Searcy Methodist and Midway Methodist Church. After her husband's death, she moved from the farm to the city of Griffin and, in 2007, she joined First United Methodist Church. She was a current member of Trinity Methodist Church in Griffin and part of the Joy Sunday School class.

Mrs. Howard loved working in her yard and was an avid fan of the Atlanta Braves baseball team as well as the Georgia and Auburn football teams.

She is survived by her children, J. Mark Howard and wife Katie of Lilburn, Georgia, and J. Gregory Howard of Atlanta; grandchildren, Collin Howard, U.S. Marines and Julia Howard Groche and husband Dan of Charlotte, North Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation with the family will be on Monday, February 23, 2026, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm at Trinity Methodist Church, followed by a funeral service in the church sanctuary. Reverend Debby Stikes, assisted by Mrs. Howard's nephew, Rev. Dale Lovelady, will officiate. Interment will be in Oak Hill Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Trinity Methodist Church, Building Fund, PO Box 2148, Griffin, Georgia 30224.