Cara Lee Howard

On January 18, 2024 at 6:30pm after a long battle with Alzheimer's (PCA), our glorious Lord & Savior wrapped His loving arms around and returned her home to begin her eternal life with her loved ones in Heaven.
Cara was a loving wife and amazing mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and best friend. She was best known for her gentleness, her loving heart, endless kindness, one-of-a-kind recipes, and her ability to give the "best hugs." To know her was to love her and she had an impact on everyone she ever met. She was thought of as a "second mom" to many of her children's friends. She had the best smile and a glow about her that radiated through her "beautiful porcelain skin."
Cara was born May 21, 1955 to Lydia Florence & Clinton Earl "Smokey" Poffinberger. She was welcomed home by her one and only sister Cheryl--whom she looked up to, cherished and adored.
She met Kevin Brent Williams while still in high school, and they were later married on August 31, 1973 just two months after she graduated from East High School. During this marriage they had a son Kenny and a daughter Jenn. Although the marriage ended, they remained friends throughout her lifetime.
in 1980, she met her best friend Donna. The two shared a love and devotion to Jesus Christ. They did nearly everything together. Cara even waited for her to be there and hold her hand before taking her last breath.
in 1981, she met her "Honey"--the absolute love of her life, Dave. The two were married on September 22, 1983. They had two boys, Casey and her baby boy Colton. Cara and her "Honey" shared a once-in-a-lifetime love that lasted just over 40 years. Their love story set the standard for her children of not settling for anything less.
Cara is survived by her husband, David J. Howard. Her children, Kenneth Brent & wife Sarah Williams, Jennifer Elaine Romero, Casey J. Howard & Colton D. Howard. Her sister Cheryl Rene Laub. Wonderful in-laws, Debbie (Jeff) Sharpe, Cy (Sally) Howard, Teresa Dillingham, Wes (Kelly) Howard, Becky (Ray) Anderson, Wade (Stephanie) Howard. Her best friend Donna Thain. Her grandchildren, Jasmyn (Andrew) Cano, Spencer Williams, Ariel (Ashton) Olsen, Brooklynn (Meeko) Peterson, Aurora Walker, Rico Romero, Brighton Williams, Lydia Williams, & Amberlee Romero as well as two great grandchildren; Jack & Scarlette Cano. Many beloved nieces and nephews and her 4 bonus children, Keith Aldrich, Jasmine Johnson, Paulista Duranseau, & Charles Estes.
She was preceded in death by her father Clinton Earl "Smokey" Poffinberger, mother Lydia Florence Poffinberger, father-in-law Jack Howard, mother-in-law Arvilla Howard, brothers-in-law Curt Stoddard & Lonnie Howard, and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
A private farewell for immediate family and close friends will be held on Thursday January 25, 2024.
The family is planning a Celebration of Life at a later date.