Celebration of Life service will be held for Shepherdess Annie Jane Burney Howard, age 86, of Milledgeville, on Saturday, August 2, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. at New Vision C.O.G.I.C., 941 Dunlap Road, Milledgeville, GA. Her remains will be in state at the church at 11:00 a.m. Pastor Robert Goolsby will be the Officiant and Superintendent Steve Pearson will be the Eulogist. The interment will follow at Una's Memorial Park, 512 Old Monticello Rd NW, Milledgeville, GA.

Shepherdess Howard passed away on July 21, 2025, after an extended illness.

Annie B., as she loved to be called, was educated in the Baldwin County Public Schools system. She furthered her education at Fort Valley State University (formerly known as Fort Valley State College) and Georgia College & State University (formerly known as Georgia College), obtaining a Master of Education. Annie B. followed the footsteps of her mother by becoming an educator. She taught at various public elementary schools in Baldwin County. She began her spiritual walk at an early age at Scott's Chapel C.M.E. in Stevens Pottery, GA. She later joined the Church of God In Christ (C.O.G.I.C.) serving faithfully in various roles, including becoming the founder and pastor of Alpha & Omega C.O.G.I.C., also in Milledgeville. Annie B. was not only very active in church, but also active in many religious and civic organizations and activities, to include the Do Team, Noon Day Prayer, Dunlap Community Club, Meals-On-Wheels, Foster Parents Association, Educators Associations, Eastern Star, and many others.

Annie B. loved to read, write, garden, shop, sew, craft, and travel. She traveled extensively across the United States, Mexico, multiple Caribbean Islands, and to various countries within Europe.

Annie B. was known for creating cherished memories with her family, her spiritual family, close friends and her students through gatherings, vacations, and shopping trips. She was known for her vivacious personality, her rendition of, "The Creation", and for her infectious laughter, usually until she shed tears of joy. Annie B. never met a stranger. She really loved the Lord, and she loved people.

Annie B. was born on September 24, 1938, in Stevens Pottery, GA, to the late Huby Johnson Burney and Sophie Mae Griffin Burney. She and her siblings were raised by their maternal grandmother, Annie L. Griffin Driskel, and an Uncle and Aunt, Edgar and Rozzie Griffin, all deceased.

On March 5, 1960, she was united in holy matrimony to the late Charlie C. Howard. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Johnnie C. Burney, James B. Burney, Johnnie L. Griffin, Gussie M. Griffin Brisco, Agnes M. Griffin, Hubbie J. Burney, Charles R. Burney, Johnnie M. Burney Thomas; and a Foster son, Joseph L Wright.

Her life will forever be cherished by her three daughters, Charlene Venessa Howard (Charles) Clark of Conyers; Connie Ann Wright of Milledgeville; and Shontraye Monique Howard of Lizella. Grandchildren, Caisha Clark and Chomika Currie of Conyers; Creighton (Britany) Wright of Warner Robins; Saleem "Sunee" Wright of Augusta; and Ja'Monica Wright of Milledgeville; Great Grandchildren, Adrian Currie, Maximus Clark and Kristen Currie of Conyers; Jace Wright of Warner Robins; Siblings, John Burney of Syracuse, New York; Willie C. Griffin and John W. (Rose) Griffin of Milledgeville; Mary L. Williams and Cary (Patricia) Griffin of Stevens Pottery. Special In-Laws, Frances B. Williams of Columbus; Cathy Burney of McLeansville, NC;  Nathaniel (Mary Ann) Howard and Barbara James of Dublin; and Mary E. Kelsey of Milledgeville; a host of devoted nieces, nephews, family members, saints, friends, foster family members, especially Mae Wright of Milledgeville and her children, Brittane Bridges of Milledgeville and Christopher Wright of Decatur; Goddaughters, TaKisha Primas of Macon and Renee Murray of Milledgeville; Sister Friends, Marie Goddard; Jacque Bailey; Affadonia Warthen; Mary Rogers; Hermia Lee Zachary of Milledgeville; Martha Bacon of Warrenton; Shirley Brinson of Fairburn; Gracie Howsie of Pittsburgh, PA; and Betty Bell of Toomsboro.

I n lieu of flowers, the family asks that you please consider making a donation to the New Vision Church of God In Christ, Building Fund, P.O. Box 48, Milledgeville, GA 31061.

There will not be any Visitation.

Peoples Funeral Home entrusted with final arrangements.