Elmer Dale Howard

Mr. Elmer Dale Howard of New Market peacefully went to be with the Lord on Tuesday while with his loving family. He was 76 and was a Christian and faithful part of Plainview Church of Christ, and he loved to travel and to spend time with his family. He was born in Huntsville, AL, in 1949, to Melvin Elmer Howard and Josie Lucile Lanford Howard Campbell. Dale attended Walnut Grove Elementary and then graduated from Hazel Green High School in 1968 before beginning an interesting lifetime of work and entrepreneurial opportunities. He worked as a truck driver in the Atlanta area for McLean Trucking from 1973 to 1985. He and Debbie moved back to North Alabama, and he sold life insurance for Woodmen of the World for a number of years. Following that work, he owned WaterWorks Spa and Pool with locations in Meridianville, AL, and Fayetteville, TN, where he enjoyed helping the community in various ways, including providing storage solutions and storm shelters (and where he was known for the iconic red, heart-shaped hot tub.)

Dale was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, James Lowell and Roy Gene; and two sisters, Betty and Joyce.

He is survived by his wife of fifty-six years, Deborah Sue Burkett Howard; his son David Howard (Erin); his daughter, Dayna Martz; and his brother, Kenneth Wayne. His ten grandchildren, Austin, Zachary (JoJo), Hannah (Beau), Jackson, Arian, William, Cameron, Emma (Grant), Audra, and Kayden and his great-grandson Bear as well as numerous nieces and nephews cousins and friends.

Funeral services will be Sunday at 2:30pm at Plainview Church of Christ. The family will begin receiving friends at 12:30pm. Burial will follow the service and will be in Concord Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations to Le-Bonheur Children's Hospital, PO Box 41817, Memphis Tennessee 38174 in memory of Elmer Dale Howard and in honor of Bear Walton Phillips.  On Line donation link  www.lebonheur.org/donatenow.

Hazel Green Funeral Home is honored to serve the family.