Barbara Reagan Howard

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch Barbara Reagan Howard passed away peacefully in her home on February 1, 2025, as she held hands with the love of her life, Tommy Howard. Their story and her life are what makes today’s pain more bearable, as we recognize and honor the beauty and joy of her life in the flesh, knowing she has transcended to Heaven. On May 16, 1941, Barbara was celebrated into this world by her adoring parents, Thomas and Mary Reagan, and her ecstatic, big sister, Betty. It was a time of joy and blessing in the Reagan household. However, when Barbara was just 3 years old, her father Thomas was killed on the Western Front in the Battle of the Bulge. He had been a chaplain in the U.S. Army. Although Barbara was just a toddler at the time of his passing, his Christian stewardship, humility, love, and kindness were absorbed by his young daughter and personified throughout her life. It is of no surprise to those who knew Barbara that she felt a deep love for all children. From an early age she knew that she wanted to be a teacher, an elementary school teacher. Education was very important to her, so she began her university studies at Mississippi College in Clinton, Mississippi. Little did she know that a special suitor was just around the corner! When Barbara was just a freshman at Mississippi College, her big sister Betty had matchmaking on the mind. Betty had a soiree at her home, inviting friends from school and church. It was here that Tommy Howard fell in love with a beautiful raven-haired young lady who would forever have his heart. She, too, had found her forever sweetheart, and sweethearts they remained for the next 62 years. Their courtship in the Mississippi Magnolias echoed the serendipity of their fate, and soon thereafter, Tommy’s steady, Miss Barbara Reagan, became his bride! Mrs. Howard would quickly become a name said with adoration in Sunday schools and elementary classrooms for years and years to come. After graduating from Mississippi College, the newlyweds headed down the Mississippi to the glorious Crescent City where Tommy began his graduate studies at the prestigious New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and Barbara had her very first classroom of elementary school children. This was such an exciting time for the young couple as they each commenced into their perspective careers, both foundationally built because of their compassion for others. Barbara always lit up talking about their early years in The Big Easy and how she and Tommy immersed themselves in the rich culture of New Orleans art, history, and music. Upon Tommy’s graduation at seminary, it was time for the couple to head back to the red clay of Mississippi. Tommy began his work in music ministry as Barbara began a new teaching career at Leland Elementary. But, it wasn’t long before Barbara engaged in another lifelong dream of attaining her Master’s Degree of Education. It is of no surprise to those of you who knew Barbara that she did just that. With the love and support of her Tommy, she accomplished that dream, graduating with that master's degree from Delta State in 1981. Although she might never tell you, this was an achievement of which she was so proud. Humility was Barbara, so for her this was an honor and a gift to thousands of students for the next 30 years. Barbara was a teacher of the Lord, a teacher of the young, and a teacher in life. But the very, very most special, most cherished, and most important role in Barbara’s life, was that of being a Mother, and later in life, a Grandmother. Tommy and Barbara welcomed their most long-awaited gift, their baby girl, Julie Marie, on August 22, 1967. God’s light continued to bless this young family just 11 months later with the birth of their son, and namesake, Tom. Tommy and Barbara nurtured Julie and Tom in strength and spirit, teaching their unwavering faith in Christ. Barbara forever, the quiet strength in guidance and courage. For Barbara, there were no ceilings too tall, no roads too long for her devotion to her Lord and her family. Her essence alone commandeered a shelter of love and acceptance for all the children she taught and strangers she knew not. That was just Barbara. Few people have the gift of innate love and understanding that just draws others to comfort. But she did. She was special in a way that just makes you smile. Although our hearts are broken that she is no longer on this earth, we know that contentment, true contentment is peace: peace with no pain and no boundaries uncrossed. She is with her daughter. Our heavens are brighter. Our tears will dry when we think of the smile on God’s face. He has another child home, and He reunites a mother and her child. Barbara is survived by her sweetheart, Tommy Howard of Southaven, MS; and her son, Tom Howard (Kristen) of Franklin, TN. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, James Edward Stark (son-in-law Gordon Stark) of Memphis, TN, Taylor Howard and Ashlyn Howard of Kansas City, KS, and William and Caroline Howard of Franklin, TN. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Julie Howard Stark; her parents, Thomas Reagan and Mary Reagan Sutton; and her sister, Betty Reagan. Services for Barbara will be held on Thursday, February 6, 2025, at Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. followed by her Celebration of Life Service at 11:00 a.m. Barbara and Tommy’s dear friend and pastor, Dr. Michael Owens, traveled from Charlotte, NC to lead Barbara’s service. He will be assisted by another very near and dear friend and pastor, Dr. Derrick Wilson, senior pastor at Barbara and Tommy’s home church, Longview Heights Baptist Church. In lieu of traditional flowers, memorials may be made to Longview Heights Baptist Church - Annie Armstrong Easter Offering. (www.longviewheights.org).

Barbara Reagan Howard

May 16, 1941 - February 1, 2025

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