Mary Sharon Howard

Mary Sharon Howard went to the Lord on June 13, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. 

Memorial service will be at 2:00 PM, Sunday, June 16, 2024 at Boxwell Brothers Ivy Chapel, 2800 Paramount. Arrangements are by Boxwell Brothers Funeral Directors. 

Mary Sharon Tyler was born on November 16, 1939, to Billy Joe and Prebble Tyler in Amarillo, Texas. Sharon was born and raised in Amarillo, Texas, where she began learning to play the piano at age four. Her talent was evident early, and she started playing for church services in middle school. She continued playing and singing for school and church, even coming home from Easter New Mexico University on the weekends to play for services. It was at church where she met Thomas Everett Howard, one of the great loves of her life. They married on June 25, 1961. They welcomed their first daughter, April Jo, on April 18, 1962, followed by Stacy, Mary Mack, and Heather.

Family and music were her life. She taught piano lessons, was a substitute teacher, sang in the choir, and played for church services, weddings, and funerals. In the late 1970s, she even recorded a Christian album titled Victory in Jesus and toured playing with a musical group, Brenda and the Victory Sound. 

She worked in the medical field as a coder and retired from Texas Tech Medical School in 2006.

After 19 years as a widow, she reconnected with the other love of her life, Robert L. Simpson, her college sweetheart. The two fell instantly back in love, and after reuniting in 2017, they were never again apart until Sharon went to be with the Lord. Sharon and the girls were blessed with a new father figure and stepbrothers.

Sharon loved big, lived unfiltered, and was a beautiful force of nature. She made people laugh so hard they would cry. Her generous spirit made everyone feel like they were her “favorite” 

She played her final church services on Mother’s Day this year. She blessed countless lives with her music, quick wit, generous heart, and love for Jesus. Anyone privileged to know her was better for it. 

She is survived by her adoring husband, Robert (Bobby) Simpson; her sister, Judith Pendergrass; four daughters, April Joe Volk of Albuquerque (Steve), Stacy Lynn Lesinski of Haslet (Jakub), Mary Mack Prince of San Antonio (Paul), Heather Neal Airhart(late Justin), and stepsons Wayne Simpson and David Simpson (Duwane). 

Sharon had six beloved grandchildren: Hannah Maria Heavin, Rachel Sabrina, Maggie Morgan Volk, Jacob Fulton Heavin, Connor Thomas Johnson, and Dillon Gene Johnson. These were her pride and joy.

She will be deeply missed but never forgotten. Her faith is her legacy; we carry it on in your hearts.

Sharon and the girls started a memorial scholarship for Everett Howard’s alma mater, Panhandle High School. We ask that any memorial contributions be sent to:

Panhandle High School, 106 W 11th Street, Panhandle, Texas 79068, Attention: Thomas Everett Howard Mem