Evelyn Ayers Howard, 85 of Harlan, KY passed away at her home on January 17, 2013, following a long illness. Evelyn was born and raised in Twila, KY and has lived her whole life in Harlan, KY. She was a boarding school student and graduate of Pine Mountain Settlement School where she and her five sisters and three brother-in-laws attended. She also attended Berea College where she was a Berea Dancer. Evelyn worked as secretary to the Dietician at Miner’s Memorial Hospital (ARH) and was a Customer Service Representative with the Internal Revenue Service for 20 years before retiring in 1990. After retirement she served on the Executive Committee and Advisory Council for the Pine Mountain Association of Alumni and Friends. She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Harlan and a staunch supporter of the Kentucky Democrat Party.

Evelyn leaves this earth to join the love of her life, Jack Britain Howard. She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry (Gillis) and Ethel Elizabeth Oaks Ayers, her sisters, Joanna Housman, Georgia (Arthur) Dodd, Ruby (John) Warren, Mattie Ellen (Paul) Hayes and Bonnie (Walter) Shaw.

She leaves her loving children to mourn her passing and celebrate her life, Roma Prindle – Morehead, Sarah Jane Howard – Mansfield, OH, J. Clay Howard – Corbin, Mary Brit (Grover) Milwee – Watts Creek and Elizabeth Oaks (Howard) Powell – Cumberland. She has one grandson, Andrew Britain Milwee – Watts Creek and one step-grandson, R. Matthew Powell – Corbin. She leaves various nieces and nephews to mourn her passing and her current and past caregivers, Jessica Allen Thomas and Tina Bush. She also leaves behind her faithful canine companion, her Brittany, Katie Scarlett O’Howard.

Services for Mrs. Howard will be conducted at the First Presbyterian Church, on Sunday, January 20. Visitation is scheduled from 5:00 – 7:00 with the funeral immediately following with Rev. Kyle Burnett officiating. Burial will be at Resthaven Cemetery Chapel on Monday, January 21 at 11:00.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to Pine Mountain Settlement School, First Presbyterian Church and Hospice of the Bluegrass.

Rich Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.