Joni Howard, age 70 years young, passed away on May 30, 2026. The Funeral Service, conducted by Brother Danny Sellars, is 1 p.m. Friday, June 5, 2026, in the chapel of Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN. Interment in Cedar Grove Cemetery will follow the service. Pallbearers: Jay Crawford, Bobby Maynard, Steve Reynolds, Chris Whited, Richard “Acil” Stewart, and Eddie Maynard. Honorary Pallbearers: Harold Maynard and Jimmy Martin. The family will be receiving friends at the funeral home on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. and on Friday from 11 a.m. until the service at 1 p.m.
Joni Maynard Howard was born in Lebanon, TN, on April 24, 1956, to Earline Gulley Maynard and Millard Carmack Maynard. A firm believer in God and a true people person, she brought warmth and joy to everyone she met. In her younger years, Joni was a gifted softball player. She later met and married the love of her life, Terry Howard, and together they spent 42 beautiful years building a wonderful life and a welcoming home for their three children. Joni poured her heart into family life, making sure their home was always a peaceful, yet fun environment. She expressed her deep love for her family by spending quality time with them and through her incredible cooking. Joni cherished the simple pleasures in life-she loved talking on the phone with family and friends, and she found immense peace sitting on her back porch with a warm cup of coffee, watching the birds. She also had a deep love for music, with country and rock and roll being her favorites, and she was proudly Willie Nelson’s #1 fan. Joni possessed a creative soul as well, expressing her heart through writing beautiful poetry.
Joni is survived by her husband of 42 years, Terry Howard, daughters Teri (Brandon) Chastain and Tara (Ryan) Bates, nephew who was more like a son, Brian (Meagan) Nabors, grandchildren Abby Hixson, Andrew Hixson, Jake Hixson, and Ella Chastain, sister Lisa Maynard Nabors, many cousins who were loved dearly, and lifelong friends. She is preceded in death by son Ryan Allen Howard, parents Earline and Millard Maynard, and brothers Larry “Chico” Maynard and Donnie “Hot Dog” Maynard.
Sellars Funeral Home, Lebanon TN, 615.444.9393.
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This obituary was published by Sellars Funeral Home – Lebanon.
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