Rita F. Howard, 63 of Van Buren passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2018 in a local hospital. She was a nurse’s aide at Crawford Healthcare and Rehabilitation. She was preceded in death by her parents Troy and Margie (Hughes) Thompson and one brother Felton Thompson.

She is survived by four daughters Sabrena Copeland and her husband Jason of Van Buren, Cheryl Blanchard and her husband Jeremy of Mountainburg, Monica Tanner and Brenda Goss both of Van Buren; one son Brian Howard of Van Buren; four sisters Bernice Drake, Linda Byrd, and Katherine Thompson all of Little Rock and Barbara Williams of Benton; one brother Sammy Thompson of Little Rock; twelve grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.

Arrangements and cremation are under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren. There will be no formal service held at this time.

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