To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Louisiana Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Louisiana, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 6/23/18 • Approved: 10/30/19 • Last Updated: 11/2/19 • R190543-G190541-S3
Ruth
September 10, 1909 - January 31, 2000
Verna
September 29, 1911 - September 28, 2000
Best known for his religious broadcasting, Verna Elisha Howard was born September 29, 1911 in Farmerville, Louisiana to Elisha John "Hardy" Howard and Corine Smith. He left home while a teenager and moved in with his uncle who was living in Shreveport, Louisiana. He found a part time job in a shoe store and upon graduating from high school, he was given a manager position with the same shoe company in Corsicana, Texas. There he began attending the Church of Christ where he met his future wife, Ruth Moryne Jackson and they were married in 1931. They became the parents of three children, Jasper Smith Howard, Vernon Edgar Howard and Marilyn Kay Howard. Verna studied at Abilene Christian College and Harding College in Arkansas. His first church appointment was in Hot SPrings from 1934 to 1938. He also preached at Conway, Arkansas before moving to Greenville, Texas. In 1943 he started his radio evangelism and gospel meetings there. They moved to Texarkana, Arkansas in 1964 where he was co-owner of Howard Jewelers with his brothers. Two years later he began the "Gospel Hour Sing Song Till Midnight" radio program which lasted until 1995. He was the publisher of many Christian books and a Christian Hymnal. He died September 28, 2000 in Texarkana, Texas.
Contributed on 6/23/18 by debbraszymanski
Email This Contributor
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 190543