Deborah A. Howard

Deborah Ann Howard was born July 23, 1954, in Arcadia, Florida the daughter of the  late Robert Howard and Inez Cooper Smith. She departed this earthly life on Friday, May 22, 2026, at PRISMA Health Medical Center, and is now resting in the arms of her Heavenly Father.

Deborah Ann affectionally known as “Toothpick” attended public schools in Richland County District One.  Deborah Ann graduated from A.C. Flora High School in 1973, where she was well known.  She was previously employed at Fort Jackson, Riverbank Zoo, and Motel 6.

Deborah Ann enjoyed shopping, cooking, music, watching movies, dancing, going to the Flea Market, and was the “Life of the Party.”  She loved her family and friends as well as entertaining them.  Whenever she walked into a room it was never a dull moment.  Deborah Ann was always a Jokester with a big smile, and a bigger heart.  If you knew her, you knew she will always keep you laughing.  She had strong Faith and knew Jesus as her Lord and Savior.

In addition to her parents, Deborah  was also preceded in death by her brothers, David Bates, Jr., Lenton Charles Bates, and Nathaniel Smith; and sisters, Alice Bates Loper, Lottie Mae Bates, and Annie Ruth Bates Gardner.

Those left to cherish her precious and loving memories are loving husband, Michael Hudnell; sons, Tyrus Jackie Howard and Travis Edward Howard; brother, Willie Smith, Jr.; grandsons, Dakari Howard, William Kershaw, Daviante Mathis, and Tyler Green; granddaughters, Shea-laya Grant, Amarra Washington, Innocent Hunt, Maddison Douglas, and Imani Kershaw.  Special loving niece and nephew, Marie and Winifred Brown; loving great-niece, AnnaMaria Brown, known as “Cookie” “by her Auntie. She also leaves a host of other nieces, nephew, cousins, relatives, and friends that she loved very much.  Deborah Ann (Toothpick) will truly be missed by all who loved her.

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