Woodward, Oklahoma - Kathleen Roach Howard, 81 year old Woodward resident, passed away Friday, April 3, 2026 in Shattuck. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, April 11, 2026 at the Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church with Reverend Jason Dirks officiating. Burial will follow in the Elmwood Cemetery with arrangements under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.

Kathleen Karen (Roach) Howard was born July 4, 1944 to Cecil and Theresa (Cash) Roach in Dalhart, Texas and gained her wings on Good Friday, April 3, 2026. Kathy grew up in Woodward and graduated from Woodward High School.

Kathy was united into marriage to the love of her life Don Max Howard on May 27, 1962. The couple made their home West of Woodward where they were blessed with six children. After losing Don Max in August of 1976, Kathy with great strength and amazing faith in her Lord was faced with raising six children as a single mother.

Kathy worked at the Fruit of the Loom Factory in Woodward for 22 years until becoming a mental health aid for Western State Hospital in Fort Supply until 1995. Anyone that knew Kathy, knew how much she loved her family. Her children and grandchildren brought her so much happiness. She always carried a smile and had a story to share for anyone that would listen. Kathy had the best relationship with her Lord and Savior. Any chance she got, she took to share his word. Kathy often spent time everyday in prayer and studying her bible. She enjoyed all the friends and relationships she made through church at Lincoln Avenue.

Kathy spent many of her days watching her children and grandchildren playing sports and all other activities. She never missed out on a chance for a Diet Coke and her mini candy bars. You could always find her with a Western on the TV and a hidden remote so no one could change her channel. In her younger days, she loved to go dancing and could catch her bragging about meeting George Strait when he played in Woodward. Kathy was also a member of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary.

She was preceded in death by her husband Don Max Howard, her father Cecil Roach, mother Theresa Black, maternal and paternal grandparents, infant sister LaVonna Joyce, one brother Everett Roach and wife Donna, one sister Helen Day and husband Larry, nephew Darrin Roach, and daughter in law Stacy Howard.

Kathy is survived by her children, Mikeo Howard and wife Tina, Twanna Ketcherside and husband Dale, Tina Fowler and husband Roy, Les Howard and wife Tanya, Dusty Howard and fiancé Rhonda, Rusty Howard and girlfriend Shelly; brother Cecil Roach and wife Oleta; 18 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren and 4 great great grandchildren; several nieces, nephews and several friends.

The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff and family at Shattuck Nursing Center. She loved you guys and called you all family.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Lincoln Avenue Baptist Church with the funeral home accepting contributions.