Ruby Bell Howard

Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Ruby Bell Howard passed away on February 20, 2025, at Circle of Life Hospice Home in Bentonville, Arkansas. She was 93. Born March 13, 1931, to Delmas Earl “Dell” and Leona (Kelley) Rush in southern Washington County, Ruby was an avid gardener, gracious hostess, and lover of bold red clothes and accessories. She grew up among generations of family on the hillsides of Mountain Burg and Winslow and was ever proud to be a Fighting Squirrel. On New Years Eve, 1950, she married Roy Howard. Over the course of their sixty-five years together, they raised three children and countless chickens, cattle, and gardens, building a life centered in Springdale. Upon Roy’s retirement, they enjoyed traveling, amassing a collection of commemorative plates for the walls that never failed to fascinate their grandchildren. They enjoyed years of Saturday night music with their friends at the Little O’Oprey in West Fork and loved hosting gatherings at their home, especially for their anniversary. Her family will miss her strong personality, fierce independence, and her lovely house and yard filled with her beloved plants. Few of them will be able to let noon pass on any major holiday without taking a moment to remember lining up in her kitchen to eat. Ruby was preceded in death by her husband Roy, parents Dell and Leona Rush, son Royce Bennett “Sam” Howard, brothers Tommy and Roy Dell Rush, and sister Ann Center. She is survived by her son Bill Howard and his wife Karen of Bentonville, daughter Patty Walker and her husband Alan of Jay, Oklahoma, granddaughters Becky Howard of Conroe, Texas, and Jenny Callis of Bentonville, grandsons Patrick, Jon, and Shane Walker of Jay, Oklahoma, Andy and Tony Howard of Bentonville, Travis Howard of Helena, Montana, Mitchell Howard of Colorado Springs, Colorado, thirteen great-grandchildren, brother Charles Rush of Fayetteville, sister Linda Bolin of Strang, Oklahoma, and nephew Brad Center of Fayetteville. A visitation will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 25, 2025, at Sisco Funeral Chapel of Springdale with a funeral service at 11am, officiated by Pastor J.R. Morgan. A short graveside service will immediately follow at Springtown Cemetery in Benton County. Flowers can be sent to Sisco Funeral Chapel, 705 W Meadow Ave, Springdale. Online condolences accepted at www.siscofuneral.com.

Ruby Bell Howard

March 13, 1931 - February 20, 2025