George E. "Sonny" Howard Jr.

George “Sonny” E. Howard Jr., 64, of Cleveland, TN passed away on August 8, 2016. He was born on January 10, 1952 McMinn County to the late George and Thelma Howard. Sonny lived in Cleveland for more than 45 years after moving her, from McMinn County. He was a member of Samples Baptist Church. Sonny was the previous owner of Howard Machine Repair and he loved working on things, antique cars, and fishing. In addition to his mother and father, Sonny is preceded in death by his previous wife Norma Jean Gladson Howard; son Tony Howard; father in laws Carl Gladson and Harle Kinser; sisters Betty Howard and Bobbie Sue Foster; brother in laws Bob Foster, Harold Dixon, and Junior Hembree.

He is survived by his wife Elisa Kinser Howard; sisters: Judy Dixon, Ruth Ann Davis (Ray), and Mary Hembree; grandchildren: Lacey Howard Cooper, Emily Howard Defoor, Kayley Howard, and step grandson Ammons Rattler; great grandchildren Evan Cooper, Macie Cooper, Ryder Defoor, and step great granddaughter Summer Rattler; special friends that were like family: Tony, Cendra and Abby Brown, Tanner, Melanie, and Sofia Brown; mother in laws: Mary Jewel Gladson and Nadine Kinser; brother in laws Charles Gladson (Gail) of Virginia, Aaron Kinser (Becky). In addition to these, he leaves behind several nieces, nephews, and extended family members and friends.

A funeral service will be held at 6:00pm on Thursday August 11, 2016 at Samples Baptist Church located at 371 Samples Chapel Rd. Cleveland, TN 37323 with Rev. Mark Cameron officiating. The family will receive friends at the church on Thursday from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery with Bill Wilson, Jerry Wilson, Tommy Wright, and Steve Wright serving as pallbearers.

You are invited to share a personal memory of Sonny or your condolences with his family at his online memorial located at www.companionfunerals.com. Companion Funeral and Cremation Service and the Cody family are honored to assist the Howard family with these arrangements.