Frances LaRue "Rudy" Harper Howard of Pine Bluff, Arkansas was born June 4, 1945 at Sheridan, the daughter of the late Coy Harper and Leona Christine Brooks Harper Reid. Mrs. Howard enjoyed working, she loved her family and was very proud of her Indian heritage.

Mrs. Howard died Saturday, October 24, 2009, at the age of 64, at Arkansas Children's Hospital in Little Rock as the result of an accident at her home. In addition to her parents, she was also preceded in death by her husband, Orville Howard.

Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Ray and Melanie Smith of Sheridan, Darren and Sonya Smith of Sheridan, Thomas and Shannon Howard of Pine Bluff; Daughter and son-in-law, Patricia and Sonny Guillot of Sheridan; Step-mother, Wilma Moring of Pine Bluff; Brothers, Vernon Harper, Donnie Harper, David Harper, Gary Harper, Gerald Harper, Chester Harper, Danny Reed, Timmy Reed and Jimmy Baker; Sisters, Patsy Varner, Brenda Newton, Betty Perez and Karen Mooney; Grandchildren, Jennifer Lowry, Wendy Stout, Eric Smith, Dewayne Dimond, Deanna Dimond, Filiz Guillot, John Guillot, Lena Guillot, Ginger Byars, Rene Byars, Doug Fitzgerald, Darren Smith, Brooke Smith, Jessica Leopard, Kristchelle Smith, Justin Howard, Aaron Howard, Katy Howard; Great Grandchildren, Nicholas Stout, Alyssa Stout, Trinity Dimond, Kaydyn Lawson, Kameron Massey, Isaac Smith, Makenlie Camp and 14 step-great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Wednesday October 28,2009 at Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel in Sheridan. Burial will be in Bethel Cemetery in the Ico, Community, north of Sheridan. Visitation will be from 11:00-1:30 P.M., also on Wednesday, prior to the service.