Reverend Orville "Joe" Howard, Jr., 73, of Jones Creek went to his heavenly home on Friday, November 25, 2022, at the Harlan App. Reg. Hospital.  Joe was born on March 21, 1949 in Harlan County to the late Orville Howard, Sr. and Janie Middleton Howard.   He was drafted into the U.S. Army where he proudly served in the 11 ^th Armored Calvary Regiment during the Vietnam War.  Following his military service he worked for a brief time up north before coming back home to Harlan County and going to work in the coal mines.  He retired from Eastover/ Manalapan Mining Company after many years of service.

Joe served as a Baptist minister for over 40 years at various churches around Harlan County where he was currently the pastor at the Lenarue Missionary Baptist Church.  He had been there for the past 14 years.  Joe has proudly baptized hundreds of people over the years and has officiated at quite a few weddings also.  He enjoyed ministering to several area healthcare facilities including the Harlan Health and Rehabilitation Center, the Laurels and the Horizon Adult Daycare Center.  In recognition of his service, in 2018 he was awarded "Kentucky Volunteer of the Year" and then the "National Volunteer of the Year" at a ceremony in San Diego, CA.  He was also very active with Camp Howard and enjoyed helping with their summer camp every year until COVID.  In his spare time he enjoyed gardening.

In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by two sisters, Ila Bray and Shirley Howard; and three brothers, Jerry, Palmer and Doug Howard.

Those left to mourn his passing include his wife of over 52 years, Sally Owens Howard, Jones Creek; two children, Kenneth Howard, Jones Creek; Amy Aslinger and husband, Robert, Jones Creek; and a brother, Carlos Howard and wife, Mae, Sharps Chapel, TN.  Also surviving are seven grandchildren including two that he raised as his own, Jesse Howard and Cole Howard; Tiffany Jackson and husband, Johnny; Zachary Aslinger and wife, Merisa; Seth Aslinger and wife, Deanna; Rylee-Jo Aslinger and Christian Aslinger; six great-grandchildren, Aiden and Ashlynn Jackson; Emma, Joci, Aubrey and Knox Aslinger; and a host of nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

His visitation will be held Monday from 5 until 8 pm at the Evarts Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at 2 pm in the Chapel of the Evarts Funeral Home with the Reverend Scotty Witt, the Reverend Larry White and the Reverend Bill Wallace officiating.

Burial will follow in the Evarts Memorial Gardens with military rites by the Harlan Honor Guard.  His grandsons and grandsons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.

Evarts Funeral Home is honored to serve the Howard family.