Lavona Howard Haines age 68 of Marion, Ohio formerly of Magoffin County, Kentucky, passed away Friday, July 17, 2026 at her home. Lavona was born August 10, 1957 at Paintsville, Kentucky to the late Kenneth and Shirley Howard.
Survivors include, one son; Shawn Simpkins of Marion, Ohio, four grandchildren; Destinee Nagel, Shania Butcher, Kinlee Huffman and Shawn Simpkins, Jr. (SJ), five great grandchildren; Finnegan, Daphne, Ella, Kolsen and Emory all residing in Marion, Ohio, one sister; Deborah Howard Washington of Johns Creek, Georgia, one niece, two nephews and many other relatives and friends.
Beside her parents and grandparents and other relatives, Lavona is preceded in death by one son; Jud Haines.
Lavona had a love for historical facts. As a child she would spend her childhood summers between both sets of grandparents learning family history. She devoted years helping people find their ancestry through research. She loved it so much she created two facebook groups for her Howard’s. One for her mom’s side and one for her dad’s to help people connect.
Family and friends may visit the Magoffin County Funeral Home, Friday, July 24, 2026 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. with a celebration of Lavona’s life at 11:00 a.m.. Burial will follow at the Slone-Howard Cemetery, Flat Fork, Kentucky concluding the ceremony.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Magoffin County Funeral Home.
www.magoffincountyfuneralhome.com
