Melissa Elaine (Byrd) Howard

Melissa Elaine Howard, 58 of Wiggins, passed away July 20, 2024 at Memorial Hospital in Gulfport. She was born October 27, 1965 in Wiggins, the oldest of three and daughter of Eddie 'Talmadge' and Cynthia Diane (Daughdrill) Byrd. Missy, as she was known to most, grew up in Wiggins where she was an active and outgoing young lady. As the oldest, Missy helped her parents with her brother Jim and sister Colleen. She loved playing softball and music, playing the clarinet in the SHS marching band. Missy graduated with the Stone High Class of 1983, and went to work driving a school bus for several years. She has also worked in a few other places around town, including Boomerangs, Popeyes, Magnolia's, and more. But her favorite title of all was "Lola", which means grandmother. Missy loved her grandbabies and none of them could do any wrong whatsoever. She was a wonderful daughter, sister, wife, mother, and an even better grandmother. Missy love to craft, to cook, and spoil grandbabies. There wasn't anything she wouldn't do for any of them. When she wasn't with them, she loved her shopping trips, but perhaps the trip more than anything, as often she wouldn't even buy anything. Missy is considered THE best cook in South Mississippi. She is well-remembered for her fried chicken, gumbo, turnip greens, cornbread, and biscuits and dumplings from scratch. She was definitely something, and could be as sweet as sweet tea, but also meaner than a stepped-on water moccasin as well. Her heart was one of a kind, and she loved deeply. Missy loved the Lord most of all, with her family next in line, but she also loved her friends, her church family, and all those close to her. She will be forever loved and missed by all whose life she touched. Missy was preceded by her parents, Talmadge and Diane Byrd, and her maternal grandparents, Jim and Mary Alice Daughdrill. Left to cherish her memories are: the love of her life and well-fed husband, Phil Howard; their children: Kathryn (Philip) Go of Gulfport, Trey (Crystal) Scruggs of Waveland, with bonus children Heather Rawson and Haley (Chace) Miller, both of Wiggins, and Hollie (Matt) Cupp of Perkinston; with her brother Jim Byrd, and sister Colleen (Chuck) Martens, both of Wiggins. Missy leaves a legacy of twenty grandchildren: Corbin, Barrett, Caroline, Fisher, Holdyn, Memphis, Conley, Carleigh, Kirsten, Connor, Kelcee, Kyler, Kynslee, Kyson, Emma, Trystan, Kambree, Waylon, Haston, and Jaxson, with one great-grandchild, John Leighton, together with several nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of friends and co-workers through the years. Her final wishes were to be cremated, which her family is honoring. A Celebration of Life has been set for Thursday, July 25th at Unity Baptist Church in McHenry, where Missy was a member for many years. The service will be from 6 until 9 PM, with a funeral service at 7:00 in the sanctuary. Pastor Donnie Simms will officiate, with a time of visitation and fellowship to follow. In lieu of floral arrangements, the family asks that you consider making a donation in Missy's honor to the American Diabetes Association. Trinity Funeral Services is honored to serve the Howard family in their time of need and asks that you remember them in your thoughts and prayers through the days ahead.

American Diabetes Association
2451 Crystal Drive, Arlington VA 22202
Tel: 1-800-342-2383
Email: askada@diabetes.org
Web: https://diabetes.org/