Lavern Augustus Howard

Augustus Howard

November 6, 1930 ~ February 11, 2022 (age 91)

Mr. Howard was first born of Fannie and Leslie Howard in Saulsbury TN.

His funeral service was held on Saturday February 19, 2022 at 11:00 am at Greater Springfield MB Church with Pastor Robert Parham in charge. Burial was in the Bolivar Community Cemetery and Dixie Funeral Home www.dixiefuneralhome.com was in charge of the professional service.

He accepted Christ at an early age. He attended the schools of Hardeman and Shelby County. After receiving his high school diploma, he found a passion for driving, whether it was driving an ice truck around Hardeman County or driving an 18 wheeler regionally.

“Gus” married Labertha Brown (who preceded him in death) in Alcorn County MS and they moved to Chicago, IL.

To this union, one child (Rodney) was born. While in Chicago, “Gus” was employed in several jobs that fulfilled his passion. Among these jobs were a cab driver for Yellow Cab Company, a contract mail hauler for the US Mail through Cousins Carthage Company as well as a regional auto carrier for Cooper-Jarret Motor Corporation.

In 1973, he and his family moved to Bolivar, TN where they built a home.

Trucking jobs were difficult to find so he began working at Jarvis Company (later known as Harman International). While employed at Harman, he joined the UAW Local 1303 where he moved up the ranks and became President of that local. During that time, he was able to travel and meet many dignitaries. He also spent several years as a school bus driver for the Hardeman County school system.

He later married Louise Lake who preceded him in death. Mr. “Gus” was a faithful member of the Greater Springfield MB Church serving as a Trustee and on the bus ministry.

He moved to Ridgecrest Apartments where he was able to continue his passion of driving by utilizing the riding lawn mower as the yard man for the facility until his health began to fail. On February 11 at 8am, Mr. Howard transitioned at Pine Meadows Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Mr. “Gus” was also preceded in death by two siblings; Betty Jean Howard Fletcher and Leslie William Howard Jr.

Mr. “Gus” leaves to cherish his memory: one son; Rodney Lavern Howard (Evonne) of Memphis, TN: two sisters; Juliaette Howard Holt (James) of Memphis, TN and Joanne Howard White (Leon) of Bolivar, TN: one brother; Willie Joe Howard of Decatur, IL: a God Daughter; Gwen Cheairs Ellison of Bolivar, TN; ten nieces and nephews, twenty two great nieces and nephews and eight great-great nieces and nephews who mourn at his passing but rejoice in the Heavenly Homegoing

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