Howard Byars, 76, of Millport, AL, passed away on January 7, 2024, at Baptist Memorial Hospital in Columbus, MS. Visitation will be Wednesday night, January 10, 2023 from 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. at Dowdle Funeral Home in Millport, AL. Funeral services will be Thursday, January 11, 2023 at 2:00 p.m. at Dowdle with Bro. David Honeycutt and Bro. Glen Boman officiating. The body will lie in state one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow at Ebenezer Cemetery in Millport, AL.

He was born October 1947 in Fayette, AL to John and Verna Byars. Howard graduated from Fayette County High School in Fayette, AL. He went on to attain his bachelors, masters, and EDS degrees in secondary education from the University of North Alabama where he was a scholarship football player and met his wife of 49 years, Kathy Byars. Howard was a former teacher/administrator/coach for 32 years at Guntersville High School, Russellville High School, Millport High School, Gordo High School (where he won a 3A state football championship in 1985), and South Lamar High School (where the football field was named in his Honor) and where he retired from in 2001. Howard touched many lives through his teaching/coaching/administration. He cared for all his students, athletes, and co-workers. Howard was also a member of the Gideons organization for over 40 years and was currently serving as the church ministry chairman for the Lamar County Gideons Camp. Howard also loved the outdoors hunting and fishing. Many days you would find him in the bottoms at Millport doing one of the two. His wife Kathy use to tell him she was going to spread his ashes in that bottom jokingly. Howard was a member of Millport Baptist Church in Millport, AL where he served as a Sunday school teacher, Deacon, youth group leader with his wife Kathy, and other positions he was needed. Most important to Howard was his salvation, becoming a Christian and his love for the Lord! He spent his life spreading the love of Christ to everyone he would meet and spreading the word of Christ through his work with the Gideons. Howard will be dearly missed by his family and friends.

Howard is preceded in death by his wife Kathy Byars, parents John and Verna Byars, and brother Ricky Byars.

Howard is survived by his daughter Mary Kathryn Bozeman (Luke) from Millport, AL. His son Matthew Byars from Millport, AL. His brother Don Byars (Pam) from Belk, AL. His 3 grandchildren Ben Bozeman, Beth Bozeman, and Drake Byars of Millport, AL.

Pallbearers will be Brian Byars, Readus Stokes, Dale McNees, Terry Goodin, J.A. Williams, Gary Beard, Mark Prater, and Mike Patrick.

Dowdle Funeral Home is honored to assist the family with Howard's arrangements.