Joyce Ann Howard

JOYCE ANN HOWARD, age 84, of Lucasville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on November 26, 2025, in Portsmouth, Ohio at SOMC Hospice. She was born on January 29, 1941, in Portsmouth, Ohio to the late Earl E. and Mary Margret (Smith)Mann.
On November 24, 1960, Joyce married the love of her life, Richard R. Howard, with whom she shared 52 wonderful years before his passing in 2013.
Joyce was also preceded in death by her sister, Priscilla Jane Seagraves.
She is survived by her three children, who adored her beyond measure: Richard Craig (Lisa) Howard, Lisa (Joe) Smith, and Robert (Janene) Howard. Joyce was the proud grandmother of eight grandchildren Will (Megan), Blake, and Kaity Howard; Charles Joseph, Lexi and Stephen Smith; Makenzie Howard and Jordan Gambill. She was a delighted great-grandmother of one great-grandchild Josi Smith, with two more (twins!!) expected soon news that filled her heart with joy.
Joyce was a 1959 graduate of Portsmouth High School.
A devoted member of First Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, Joyce lived a life grounded in faith, kindness, and community. She spent many years as a teacher's aide at the Scioto County Joint Vocational School, where she was cherished for her patience, good humor, and ability to connect and bring out the best in students.
Joyce had a gift for finding joy in life's simple pleasures. She loved shopping, beach trips, Long John donuts, Lucasville Garden Club and Daughters of the American Revolution membership, crafting projects for bazaars, genealogy and cheering on the Cincinnati Reds even after the Jonathan India trade. But more than anything, Joyce loved to create laughter. Her quick wit, playful spirit, and warm presence made her a source of joy to everyone blessed to know her.
As a mother, Joyce was dedicated, energetic, and ever-present volunteering in scouting, PTA, and booster clubs, always cheering on her children in whatever they pursued. As a grandmother, she was even more extraordinary. She rarely missed a sporting event, school program, or special milestone, showing up with pride shining in her eyes and support overflowing from her heart.
Joyce leaves behind a legacy of love, humor, generosity, and devotion to family. She will be remembered for the laughter she inspired, the kindness she offered freely, and the beautiful life she built one full of purpose, warmth, and joy. Her memory will be treasured forever. "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
Funeral service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Thursday, December 4, 2025 at the Center Street Church in Lucasville with her brother-in-law, Phil Howard officiating. Burial will follow in Scioto Burial Park. Friends may call 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the McKinley Funeral Home in Lucasville and an hour before the funeral Thursday at the church.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to their mother's caregivers Ama Simpson, Trisha Burk, Robin Parker, Kathy Dials, Monica Holbrook, Becky Montler, Donna Holcomb, and Alex Shelton.