Anita Gay Simmons Howard, a native of Memphis, Tenn. and resident of Jackson, died June 23, 2009 at the age of 42. She was a homemaker and a member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Deer Park.

Survivors include her husband, Robert "Hoss" Howard of Tibbie; one son, Christopher Douglas Holland of Deer Park; daughter, Amber Lynn Holland of Malcolm; her mother and father, Esther and Douglas Simmons of Jackson; one sister, Donna (Cody) Patterson of Southside; niece, Austyn Patterson of Southside; nephew, Lane Patterson of Southside; and three stepsons, Shane (Shonda) Howard, Clayton (Tiffany) Howard and Nickie (Heather) Howard.

Funeral services were June 26 at Shiloh Baptist Church with the Rev. David Allbritton officiating. Interment was in the church cemetery under the direction of Lathan Funeral Home of Chatom.