Howard, Joyce A. 1934-2025 Savannah, Mo.

SAVANNAH, Mo. – Joyce Ann Howard, 91, of Savannah, Missouri, passed away Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025, at a local health care facility. She was born Oct. 19, 1934, in St. Joseph, daughter of Mary (Vaughn) and James McMillian.

She graduated from Central High School. On June 7, 1953, she married Fred Howard. Joyce retired from the Bookstore at Missouri Western State College. She loved to read and working in her rose garden and greatly loved her family. She was a former member of the South Side Business Women’s Club and the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

Joyce was preceded in death by her husband, Fred Charles Howard; her parents; daughter, Deborah Cline; brothers, Bob and Larry McMillian; sister, Delores Raines; and granddaughter, Jessica Coulter.

Survivors include son, Brian Howard, of St Joseph; daughter, Cindy Howard, of Gower, Missouri; brother, Jim McMillian, of St. Joseph; grandchildren, Sara, Chris, Tony, Nick, Hila, Kyle, Chad, Michael, and Natalie; and numerous great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025, at the Rupp Funeral Home where the family will receive friends from 1 to 2 p.m. on Tuesday. The Interment will follow services at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials are requested to the Noyes Home for Children.

Online condolences, obituary and public live stream at www.ruppfuneral.com. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press.