Jan Irma Howard Foreman

July 14, 1956 - August 31, 2017

Jan Irma Howard Foreman, aged 61, passed away at home, hands held by family, on the morning of August 31, 2017. She faced her battle with cancer with practicality and composure, as she met all challenges in her life. A reserved demeanor belied a sharp but joyful sense of humor, and she was a quiet but undeniably good force in the lives of all she met. She will be deeply missed. Born July 14, 1956, Jan grew up in Calvert City, Kentucky, with three brothers, Ralph, Ronald, and Richard Howard. She was the only daughter of the late Bill and Irma Howard. She attended Calvert City (Union) Presbyterian Church where she was a youth elder. She played clarinet in the marching band for the North Marshall High School Jets, and was a member of the final graduating class in 1974. She continued her education at the University of Kentucky where she became a life-long Wildcat basketball fan. Jan earned her master’s degree at Emory University. There, she met her husband of 36 years, Samuel Lewis Foreman, of whom she often said, “I could never imagine being married to anyone else. We are suited for each other.” Jan and Sam have three daughters: Rebekah, Stephanie, and Abigail, who she called “the jewels of my life.” Rebekah and her husband and son, Jared and Xander Hamilton, reside in Paducah, Kentucky. Stephanie and her husband Greg Howard, and Abigail and her husband Alex Pickle reside in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. In 1987, Jan was commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel by the governor of Kentucky for extensive volunteer work with the Girl Scouts, an organization that she continued to participate with as her husband’s pastoral work moved their family across the south. Jan had a servant’s heart and worked tirelessly to serve her family, God, and community wherever life took her. Services will be held Saturday, September 9, 2017 at Main Street United Methodist Church in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Visitation will begin at 9AM with a memorial service to follow at 11AM. A second service will be held Saturday, September 16, 2017 at Calvert City United Methodist Church in Calvert City, Kentucky. Visitation will begin at 3PM with a memorial service to follow at 5PM. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Samaritan’s Purse.