Obituary for Elva O. Decker Howard Elva Howard, age 95, a resident of Cleveland, passed away Thursday, June 7, 2018 at the family residence. Mrs. Howard was the daughter of Trace and Clara Decker, a frontier homestead family born on the prairies of Wyoming in August 1922. Her husband, Frank E. Howard and her sisters, Bessie Henshaw Harden and Evelyn Belle Mills also preceded her in death.
Early in life she began to lead in ministry and one summer while still in her teens she led a small band of girls to towns in Wyoming holding Vacation Bible Schools for small churches. Her college education was in teaching and Elva taught in a one room prairie school house where she and other students rode horse back to school in sub-zero snowy conditions, kindling the fire to start the day. Elva’s ministry to youth continued in the west as she launched a youth camping program for teens from a three state region.
That ministry continues to this day. In time Elva was a pastor to churches in Wyoming and Tennessee and it was in Bible Training School that she met the man of her dreams, Frank Howard from Des Moines, Iowa. In October of 1957 Frank and Elva left their family and pastorate to fulfill her dream of teaching in her church’s school, Tomlinson Memorial School.
Later she taught at Prospect elementary School. Ultimately Elva became the International Director of Women’s Ministry for the Church of God of Prophecy and ministered for more than 25 years in over 50 nations of the world. In this position she launched a women’s conference ministry that ministered to thousands of women each year in many nations.
After retirement, Elva authored “Dew Drops” a devotional book based on her life and ministry experiences. Elva’s Spirit led prophetic prayer ministry was instrumental to encourage ministry leaders, heal broken marriages, and speak hope into lives in crisis. In her final years Elva continued to be blessed with calls, cards, and visits by friends from every continent of the world.
Mrs. Howard was a member of the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy. Survivors include her daughter, Kathryn Howard Creasy and her husband Rick, her son, Dr. Randy E. Howard all of Cleveland, her grandchildren, Lee Creasy and his wife Sarah, Clint Creasy and his wife Charis, Lauren Harding and her husband Jay, Ben Howard and Brett Howard, her great grandchildren, Elodie Creasy, Amelia Creasy, Callum Decker Creasy, Eva Kate Harding, Lilly Harding and Asher Harding and numerous nieces and nephews also survive. The Remembrance of Life Service will be conducted Monday, June 11, 2018 at 11:00 A. M. from the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy with Bishop Sam Clements, Kathy Creasy, Carol Ann Stubbs and Dr. Randy Howard officiating.
Interment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens with David Calfee, Jorge Collazo, Terry Frankland, Perry Horner, Ben Lamb, Ken Nope, Frank Shroyer and Steve Spears serving as active casket bearers. Honorary casket bearers will be Clint Creasy, Lee Creasy, Lauren Harding, Ben Howard and Brett Howard. Friends of the family are invited to a viewing from 5:00 until 8:00 P. M. on Sunday evening, June 10, 2018 at the Peerless Road Church of God of Prophecy.
From 6:00 until 8:00 P. M. there will also be a general time of sharing memories honoring the life of Elva Howard. Mrs. Howard may also be viewed on Monday, June 11, 2018 at the Church at 10:00 A. M. until the funeral time at 11:00 A. M. The Service at the Church will be streamed live online. Simply go to the web page, peerlessroadchurch.com/ and click “Available on LiveStream”.
The Jim Rush Funeral and Cremation Services North Ocoee Chapel has charge of the arrangements. You may share your condolences and your memories with the Howard family at www. jimrushfuneralhomes.com.
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