Neva Naomi Morqus Howard

Neva Naomi Morqus Howard, a 6th generation Floridian, was born July 4, 1922, in Arcadia, FL. She passed away April 24, 2018, at Lakeland Regional Health, Lakeland, Florida. Her residence prior to her hospitalization was the Estates at Carpenters, Lakeland, FL, for eighteen years. She was a graduate of Desoto County High School (1941) and Florida Southern College (1945). She was pleased with what they put by her name in the college yearbook, “We respect her not only for her mirth but steadfast sterling worth” – a compliment. She was Director of Youth Work at the First United Methodist Church, Orlando, for a year after college graduation, then married William Louis Howard on December 28, 1946, and was the mother of two children, Bert Morqus Howard (Kris) of Lakeland and Suzanne H. Langford of Lake Junaluska, NC. In 1953, she and her husband moved to Wauchula, FL, where she was Youth Choir Director, Youth Sunday School Teacher/Counselor, Chancel Choir Director, and charter member of Christine Evans Circle of the United Methodist Women at First United Methodist Church. Her community and civic activities included: member, Garden Club, Junior Womans Club, Wednesday Musicale (twice served as Pres. and also State Chairman of “Music in the Home” Florida Federation of Music Clubs); active in the P.T.A. serving as president and was presented Life Membership of the FL P.T.A. She was a regular and substitute teacher at Hardee High School for 20 years; member, American Cancer Society since 1957 serving on the Board of Directors for 25 years; chairman, American Cancer Society Auction for several years. She was a Lake Junaluska, NC, homeowner; president, Lake Junaluska Woman’s Club; and member, Junaluska Associates. No place she loved more than Lake Junaluska and the mountains of NC and her home, “Beulah Land.” She was devoted to her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and friends. A Memorial service will be held at 11:00 am, Saturday, April 28, 2018, at First United Methodist Church, Wauchula. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be sent to the American Cancer Society of Hardee County or First United Methodist Church of Wauchula.