Carlotta Joy Rowe Howard age 89 of Salyersville, Kentucky passed away Friday, January 16, 2026 at the Highlands ARH Hospital in Prestonsburg, Kentucky.
Carlotta was born in Salyersville, Kentucky on January 5, 1937. She was the daughter of the late William Rowe and Lizzie Prater Rowe.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by two sisters; Lucille Keeton and Winna Lee Williams, two brothers; Paul Rowe and Charles Rowe as well as an infant brother, Herman Lawson and infant sister Alice Geneva, two nephews Ronnie Adams and Wilford Gray Keeton.
The pride and joy of her life was her family whom she loved and cherished with all her heart. She considered each of them a blessing. Carlotta was the mother of three sons; Gregory Kirk (Sandy) Howard of Van Lear, Kentucky, William Douglas Howard of Milton, Florida and Jessie Michael Howard of Salyersville, Kentucky. She is also survived by two grandsons; Gregory Caleb (Lisa) Howard of Franklin, Tennessee and William Alexander (Katie) Howard of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Carlotta was a member of the Faith Freewill Baptist Church where she served as Treasurer for many years. From an early age, Carlotta loved books and was the 1954 Valedictorian of Salyersville High School. She was a member of the Magoffin County Historical Society, where she became interested in genealogy. She researched and compiled a book on the Prater family descendants of Archibald Prater. Her interests also included writing poetry. She and her sister, Winna spent many hours comprising poems which they put together in large poetry books which were later gifted as a family treasure.
Most people will remember Carlotta as the City Clerk of Salyersville, a position she held for forty-seven years. She was a member of the Municipal Clerks Association. She received many certificates for her achievements at both the State and Federal level. She held the esteemed title of Kentucky Colonel and was Grand Marshall of the Salyersville Founders Day Parade.
She took great pride in all her achievements but the most treasured blessing was her family whom she loved dearly. Those left to mourn her passing include her sister-in-law Marjilene Rowe, five nieces; Judy Ward, Dianne Jenkins, Melinda Rowe, Cathy Sparks and Debbie Cain, five nephews; Randall Williams, Garry Rowe, Ray Keeton and Phillip Keeton also a host of neighbors and friends.
Carlotta loved Salyersville and especially Dixie where she spent her life on Kentucky Street.
Funeral services for Carlotta Joy Rowe Howard were conducted Monday, January 19, 2026 from the Magoffin County Funeral Home Chapel with Lyndsey Meade officiating. Burial followed at the Gardner Cemetery in Salyersville, Kentucky.
Arrangements were under the direction of the Magoffin County Funeral Home.
www.magoffincountyfuneralhome.com
