Don Dena Jackson Woods Howie, 97, died January 3, 2026, at Nightingale of Crossett Nursing Home, where she had been a resident for the past four years. Mrs. Howie was born March 9, 1928, to her parents, Isaac Cleveland and Lula Mae Adair Jackson. She was a lifelong resident of Ashley County and a resident of Hamburg for 66 years.

She was a faithful member of Gardner Baptist Church, where she served her Lord and Savior as a Sunday School teacher, church secretary, and in later years, as a pastor’s wife. She retired as head checker at Kroger after twenty years of service. She enjoyed caring for her home, working in her flowers, sewing, quilting, and cooking. She was devoted to her family, caring for several of her older sisters as their health declined, as well as both of her husbands during lengthy illnesses.

Mrs. Howie was preceded in death by her parents; two brothers and five sisters; her husband of 48 years, Woodie O. Woods, in 1994; a grandson, Anthony Lane Woods, in 1996; her husband of 19 years, Rev. Eugene Howie, in 2020; and a son, Woody Lamar Woods, in 2023.

She is survived by a son, Tommy Woods and wife, Karen, of San Antonio, TX; a daughter, Anne Carpenter and husband, Bruce, of Crossett; a stepson, David Howie and wife, Judy, of Denham Springs, LA; a daughter-in-love, Alice Woods of Hamburg; five grandchildren, Brett Carpenter and wife, April, of Benton, AR; Erin Carpenter and husband, Benjamin, of Lonoke, AR; Kara Wahn and husband, Frithjof, of Kattendorf, Germany; Justin Woods and wife, Katie, of San Antonio, TX; and Jason Woods of Berlin, Germany; two step-grandchildren, Lauren Howie and Daniel Howie, both of Denham Springs, LA; ten great-grandchildren; and several beloved nieces and nephews.

A private graveside service will be held in the Hamburg Cemetery, with Bro. Benjamin Carpenter officiating, under the direction of Medders Funeral Home.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of Nightingale on Waterwell and Hospice Home Care of Monticello for their compassionate care over the past four years.