Betty Jean Howes, 97, went to be forever with Christ on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, from the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born on July 14, 1929, in Laurel Fork, Upshur County, to the late Bernice Oscar Loudin and Garnet Pearl Smith Loudin. On September 20, 1947, she married Homer Warren Howes. They shared 55 years until his passing on May 2, 2002. Greeting Betty in Heaven with her parents and husband are one son, Donald Warren Howes; six brothers: Samuel, Hartsel, Macel, Marlin, Leonard, and James Loudin; one sister, Mildred Sanders; and one great-grandchild, Troy Smith.
Forever cherishing their memories of Betty are nine children: Charlotte Jean McCann and husband, Stanford, of Indian Camp, David Allen Howes and wife, Janet, of Eagle Rock, VA, Janice Darlene Cain and husband, Terry, of Indian Camp, Robyn Carol McCann and husband, Ronald, of Alton, Kevin Duane Howes and wife, Cheryl, of French Creek, Alice Marie Cain of Buckhannon, Mark Robert Howes of French Creek and mother to his children, Kathy Howes, Laurie Ann Young and husband, John, of French Creek, and Angela Jo Howes Burwell, also of French Creek; twenty-five grandchildren: Shanah Carpenter and husband, Danny, Shellie Humphrey and husband, Marty, Stephanie Gillum and husband, Eric, Chad Howes and wife, Mikala, Erin Beavers and husband, Anderson “AJ,” Derrick Cain and wife, Cheryl, Erica Landis and companion, Buddy Miller, Tera Spotloe and husband, Scott, Michael McCann and wife, Carolyn, Jeffrey McCann, Benjamin McCann and wife, Chelsea, Megan Smith and husband, Ben, Justin Howes and companion, Amy Dillworth, Julie Tenney and husband, Doyle, Savannah Servetas and husband, Cody, Daniel Cain and companion, Talia, Patrick Cain and wife, Lavita, Logan Cain, Taylor Casto and husband, Brandon, Lisa Heckman and husband, Bruce, Allison Howes, Ethan Howes and companion, Missy, Joshua Young and wife, Mirrandia, Shawn Young and wife, Cari, and Kristin Neiswonger and husband, Brandon; forty-eight great-grandchildren: Austin, Dawson, Branson, and Camdin Carpenter, Chris and William Moriarty, Chelsea Elam, Ethan Humphrey, Kyle and Parker McCann, David, Tekota, and Cheyenne Gillum, Quinn and Aurora McCann, Sean and Elizabeth Howes, Alex and Link Smith, Nathaniel Howes, Mishel, Anderson, Trinity, and Lorayne Beavers, Gavin and Kiara Tenney, Caleb, Jayce, and Brielle Servatas, Ely and Rylan Cain, Zarek Cain, Shai Watson, Kiley and Jaiden Landis, Eliana and Grayson Casto, Chase Smith, Sophie, Jameson, and Dixie Heckman, Kyndra Harper, Tiarah Tenney, Alayna and Josiah Spotloe, Ethan Howes II, Leeah Howes, Everly and Cooper Young, and one on the way; eleven great-great-grandchildren with one on the way; two sisters: Mary Lea Loudin of French Creek and Sandra Kelley of Belington; two sisters-in-law: Idella Loudin of Adrian and Jeanie Loudin of Buckhannon; several nieces and nephews; and close family friends Laird Cain and George Tenney.
Betty was a beacon of love, resilience, and grace. As the saying goes, “A good character, when established, is not easily overthrown.” Betty’s character was indeed unshakable, and her legacy will live on in the hearts of those she touched. She was a longstanding member of the Indian Camp Church, where she served faithfully and shared her light with others. Betty was a devoted homemaker, a role she cherished and carried out with unwavering dedication. She found joy in the simple pleasures of life and turned them into remarkable memories for her loved ones. Betty was skilled at crochet, gifting each child with a blanket woven with love. Her love for books was boundless, and she often lost herself in the captivating narratives. The jigsaw puzzles and crossword puzzles she so enjoyed mirrored her approach to life—patient, thoughtful, and always seeing the bigger picture. Her home was not just a structure but a living testament to her warm heart, her welcoming spirit, and her dedication to those she loved. Special thanks to Kiley Landis, Cheryl Howes, and Adoration Hospice for their wonderful care of Betty.
Friends and family will gather for visitation at Clutter Funeral and Cremation, located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon, WV, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026. The funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, 2026, in the Clutter Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastors David Jessie and Wease Day officiating. Burial will follow in the Waterloo Cemetery in French Creek.
We at Clutter Funeral and Cremation, located at 21 Elnora Circle in Buckhannon, are honored and privileged to serve the family of Betty Jean Howes. Online condolences may be expressed at www.ClutterFuneralHome.com.
