Emma Jo (Carothers) Bradley Howard, 79, of Ozark passed away Friday, September 19, 2014 at Hope’s Creek Retirement Center in Van Buren. Jo was born on October 25, 1934 in Little Rock, Arkansas and was the only child of Mark and Lucille (Harmon) Carothers.

She graduated from Arkansas State Teachers College (now UCA) with a Bachelors Degree in Home Economics. She also received a Masters Degree from the University of Arkansas in Secondary Education. Jo was an educator for many years and taught at various schools in Franklin, Johnson and Crawford counties.

Jo was a longtime resident of Ozark and a member of the Order of the Eastern Star in Lamar. She was a member of the Coal Hill, Arkansas Church of Christ.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents, her first husband John R. Bradley and her second husband Clifford Howard.

She is survived by two daughters, Beverly Childers and her husband Steve of Ozark, and Johnna Walker and her husband R.D. of Russellville, and two sons, Mark Bradley of Cabot and Sam Bradley and his wife Deanna of Van Buren; a step-daughter Susan Gibbons of Ozark and a step-son Michael Howard of Ozark. She is also survived by seven grandchildren – Steven Childers and wife Sarah of Ozark, Jason Childers and wife Annie of Ozark, Brian Childers of Ozark, Will Walker of Fayetteville, Emily Bradley of Russellville, Courtney Walker of Fayetteville and Carter Bradley of Van Buren. She also is survived by seven great grandchildren.

Graveside service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 22 at Hagarville Cemetery in Hagarville, Arkansas. The funeral is under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren and will be officiated by Rev. Ben Anderson. Pall bearers will be her grandsons. Honorary pall bearers are Lawrence Carothers, Leroy Douglas and Dr. Larry Brown.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Southern Christian Home, 100 West Harding Street, Morrilton, Arkansas 72110.

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