Graveside services for J. Max Howard, 95, of Belton will be 1:30 p.m. Tuesday in Oak Hill Cemetery in Cameron with the Rev. Martin Knox officiating.

Mr. Howard died Saturday, Dec. 1, at a local hospital.

He was born in Falls County near Rosebud to Henry Clay and Stella Gray Howard. He graduated from Rosebud High School in 1930 and attended Draughon’s Business College in San Antonio. He joined First Baptist Church in Rosebud at 17. He married Betty Rowena Burkes on Sep. 12, 1935. He joined the Baptist church in Marlin and was ordained a deacon in 1939. He moved to Cameron in 1941 and established the Burkes-Howard Implement Company with his brother-in-law. He was on the First Baptist Church board of deacons in Cameron and served as chairman for 13 years. He was chairman of the building committee for the new First Baptist Church. He taught the 15-year-old boys Sunday school class for 22 years. He also served as president of the Cameron school board for several years. He later moved to Waco and joined the Columbus Avenue Baptist Church where he also served as a deacon. After moving to Temple, he joined the First Baptist Church and served on the board of deacons. He was preceded in death by two sons, Marcus Dwain Howard and Dan Larry Howard.

Survivors are his wife of 72 years; one son, Don Max Howard of Duncanville; one daughter, Betty Diane Semple of Houston; one sister, Wanona McInnis of Mobile, Ala; three grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Temple Library Fund.

Visitation will be 3-7 p.m. today at Scanio-Harper Funeral Home in Temple.