Herbert "Lee" Howard, US Navy AMSC (Ret), 75, of Pensacola, FL went to be with the Lord on March 11, 2017.

He fought a hard fight with his crippling illness but never gave up until God told him it was time. He was born in Parkersburg, WV and joined the military at 17, served 22 years in the US Navy, on many ships, including serving during the Vietnam War, and retired as a Senior Chief Petty Officer, 1981. He married Lou Howard of Pensacola, in 1974 & settled in Pensacola when he retired. Lee enjoyed woodworking & made beautiful carvings to give to family & friends, and had great artistic talents. Lee loved his family, church family, Sunday school class, neighbors, friends, and his joy in later years was the seeds he helped plant while helping with his grandchildren. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather, devoted member of Olive Baptist Church and always willing to help anyone who had a need at any time.

Lee was preceded in death by his father, William "Bill" Howard and mother, Juanita "Johnny" Howard.

Lee is survived by his wife, Lou Howard of Pensacola; sons, Mitchell Smithies (Lauris) of Waynesville, NC and John Smithies (Evelyn) of Gulf Breeze; daughter, Andrea Howard Thompson of Pensacola; grandchildren, Josh Halligan, Christopher Hines (Jennifer), Kyle Hines, Megan Hines, Ryan Smithies and Erin Smithies; great-grandchildren, John Halligan and Christopher Hines; as well as his brother, William "Bill" Howard, Jr. (Kathryn) of Ohio; brother-in-law, Wilson Cook (Carolyn) of Ohio; sister-in-law, Carolyn Burton of Milton and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and numerous other relatives.

Visitation will be held 9:30am until the Funeral Services to begin at 10:30am Wednesday, March 15, 2017 at Olive Baptist Church, 1836 E. Olive Rd., Pensacola, FL with Dr. Ted Traylor, officiating. Burial will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery at 12:00 noon with full Navy honors. There will be a luncheon at Olive Baptist Church at 1:15pm, Room 4240, 2 ^nd Floor.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Olive Baptist Church Ministries, 1836 E. Olive Rd., Pensacola, FL 32514.

The family wishes to express their sincerest appreciation to Dr. John Bray, office & staff of Pensacola Lung Group, Dr. Roger Henson & staff, family, friends, Sunday School Class, Olive Baptist, neighbors, and Amanda & hospice Staff, West Florida Hospital.