Clara May Burks Howard, age 91 1/2, of 505 Roxbury Street, Clifton Forge, Virginia, passed away Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at her residence.

Clara was born on May 30, 1930 in Columbus, Mississippi to the late Isom VanBuren and Avie Lee Flippo Burks.

She was a homemaker and loving wife, mother, and grandmother throughout her life.

A lover of art, she was herself an avid crafter and artist as well as the owner of an art studio "Picasso Meets Monet". She was also a talented pianist, and a member of the Church of God of Prophecy in Iron Gate.

In addition to parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Rupert Ezra Howard, Jr.; two sons, Jeffrey Duke Howard and Timothy Elliott Howard; and a number of sisters and brothers.

She is survived by four daughters, Cheryl R. Brown of Covington, Susan Englert and husband, Doug of Acworth, GA, Lee Meredith Mckinlay of St. Simons, GA, and Laura Tiffany Godfrey of Berkeley Lake, Ga; three sons, Byron Rupert "Joe" Howard and wife, Bonnie of Gadsden, AL, Chester Howard of Clifton Forge, and John Howard of Clifton Forge; a sister, Betty Lowen of Covington; ten grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; and a number of nieces and nephews.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. in the chapel of Nicely Funeral Home, Clifton Forge, with Reverend Edith Snedegar, Reverend Tom Warren, and Mr. Jamie Howard officiating. Interment will follow in Alleghany Memorial Park, Low Moor. The family will receive friends on Monday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Nicely Funeral Home.

To send condolences to the family online, please visit www.nicelyfuneralhome.com.