Dale Hudson Howard passed away on October 3, 2017. She was preceded in death by her mother, Nancy Watts Bloom; her sister, Joan Richardson Hudson, and her brother, John Grier Hudson, III. She is survived by her husband, William Bostwick Howard, III; her father, John Grier Hudson, Jr.; her stepmother, Marcia Heffner Hudson; her three daughters, Dale Garrison Howard, Barrett Howard Justice, and Grier Howard Marr; her two sons-in-law, Jonathan Kyle Justice and Robert Thomas Marr, and her three grandchildren William Lewis Justice, Hudson Anderson Justice, and Charlotte Elise Marr.
Dale’s early years were spent in Spartanburg, SC, where she attended Spartanburg Day School. Her teenage years were spent in Montgomery, Alabama, where she graduated from Sidney Lanier High School and enjoyed playing tennis, track, and field hockey. In 1976, she graduated from Troy State University with a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Social Rehabilitation and a Minor in Criminal Justice and Psychology. Dale worked at Belk-Hudson and as an accountant at Cook, Ruef, and Associates in Columbia, SC. Her greatest life’s work, though, was staying at home to rear her three daughters.
Dale was an avid reader. She loved reading mystery novels, biographies, and doing Bible studies; in addition, she was a skilled editor. In her later years, she enjoyed cooking and baking. Paula Deen and the Pioneer Woman were two of her favorite chefs, and she enjoyed their cooking shows. The gift Dale loved most in this life was her family. She married her high school sweetheart, William Bostwick Howard, III on March 15, 1975. She relied on her husband for strength, encouragement, and steadiness, and she adored their children and grandchildren. She received some of her greatest joys in life loving, supporting, and spending time her family. Her heart’s cry was for her family to love God, to love each other, and to always be close.
A memorial service will be held at First Baptist Church in Clinton, SC on Sunday, October 8, 2017 at 2:30 PM. Dale had a passionate love for children. Therefore, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Thornwell Home for Children of Clinton, SC or Calvary Home of Anderson, SC.