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With the Lord

Margaret Manus Howard, Missionary Pastor’s Wife

BELLA VISTA, Ark.—Margaret Imogene Manus Howard, a faithful and knowledgeable missionary pastor’s wife, died on May 2, 2010, at age 86.

On Aug. 4, 1943, Margaret married Stanley Manus Sr. in Paris, Ark. She and Stan became missionaries with Fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions in 1954. They worked as church planters, establishing churches including Calvary Baptist, Concord, Cal.; Grace Baptist, Fayetteville, Ark.; and Village Baptist, Bella Vista, Ark. (which later relocated, becoming Cardinal Creek Baptist, and then moved to Bentonville, becoming Liberty Baptist).

Margaret served with her husband in all phases of ministry. She was a children’s Bible club worker, conducted Joy Clubs, sang, and played the organ—always with a burden to see those to whom she ministered come to know the Lord as their Savior. She was also a charter member of Heritage Baptist Church, Bella Vista, Ark., which began in her home in 1991.

After the death of Stan Sr. in 1976, Margaret and their son, Philip, went to Ohio, where she worked for approximately five years in the offices of Fellowship of Baptists for Home Missions; but due to health issues with bronchitis, the cold winters made it necessary for her to return to Bella Vista.

In 2001, while attending her class reunion in Paris, Ark., she met a former classmate, Wallace Howard. They had dated once in high school and were now both widowed. In 2003 they were united in marriage.

Margaret was preceded in death by her first husband, Stan Manus Sr.; her second husband, Wallace Howard, in 2005; two brothers; and four sisters.

She is survived by three sons, Stan Jr., David, and Philip; a daughter, Margaret DePenning; a stepson, John Howard; a stepdaughter, Alison Smith; three sisters; 15 grandchildren; and 23 great-grandchildren.

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