Annette Howard

Annette Ard Howard, a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at her home on August 14, 2026, surrounded by the family she loved so deeply.

Annette was born on March 7, 1946, to the late Albert M. Ard and Alliefare (Casselman) Ard. She was a woman of strength, determination, and tremendous pride in the life she built, not only for herself, but for the people she loved. Annette was a hard-working woman in every sense of the word. She dedicated more than 60 years of her life in the sewing industry, beginning her career at Oneita. Through determination, perseverance, and an entrepreneurial spirit, she worked her way into ownership of A&L Apparel and eventually Palmetto Apparel. She also played an important role in Howard Timber Company.

To her family, friends, and so many others in her community, she was known simply as Nannette. She was the kind of wife, mother, and grandmother who gave everything she had. She worked hard so that the people she loved could have what they needed, and often, what they wanted. She showed her love not simply through words, but through everything she did. She baked cakes for birthdays. She taught everyone to fish. She made costumes. She took her family on trips. She celebrated every accomplishment and worried over every problem.

Annette leaves behind her daughter, Deborah (Gene) Antley; her son-in-law, Mark Thompson; her grandchildren, Joshua (Miranda) Thompson, Jodi (Ryan) McDaniel, Marina Pitts, and Reilly Pitts; her six great-grandchildren, Bentlee Thompson, Liam Thompson, Hadley Thompson, Joshua McDaniel, TJ McDaniel, and Finley Thompson.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Tommy Howard; her daughter Lisa Thompson; her brothers Alvin Ard, Wendell Ard, and Arnold Ard; and her sister Alberta Howard.

The family will receive friends from 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, August 16, 2026, at Happy Home Free Will Baptist Church, 56 Big Dam Swamp Drive, Andrews, SC 29510. Funeral services will follow immediately afterward, with burial at Andrews Cemetery.