Keitha Marie Howard

Celebrating the Life of a Magnificent Angel

Keitha "Wila" Howard

                It was a beautiful start to a New Year with so many goals on the forefront. Little did anyone know that wonderful Wednesday would turn into a horrific nightmare and the change of the 2020 New Year for so many lives. With two days of constant fighting for her amazing life God decided it was her time to be called home. On Friday, January 3rd, 2020 at 5:14am a beloved daughter, granddaughter, sister, niece, cousin, and friend, Keitha Marie Howard left this world far too young and unexpectedly. She was a loving fiancé and mother of two beautiful daughters; that was embraced by Gods arms and carried home with the other angels after a severe asthma attack.

                Keitha was born on September 13, 1991 in Tucson Arizona to her gorgeous mommy Rosa Maria Howard. She was engaged to her best friend and soulmate, Jonathan Michael Sanchez on December 25, 2013. She went to Drexel Elementary, Apollo Middle School, San Manuel High School, and got her GED from Central Arizona College.

                Keitha was a kind and compassionate person who loved to laugh; which was super unique and extremely contagious. She had the most beautiful smile that could light up your soul especially on the darkest days. Keitha was one of the most creative people I have ever met. Not only was she creative but that girl had talents galore. Those talents included her being a make-up artist, hairdo extremist, baker/cake decorator, party planner, expert in nails, selfie queen, and she could blingnify anything. She truly could have done anything with her life for how many gifts she had. Family was everything to this girl and getting everyone together to play games, laugh, and eat was the best joy anyone could experience. She enjoyed going to the lake, four-wheeling in the desert, or cruising to "A" Mountain bumping music. She also loved her special time with her fiancé and her girls by watching movies and chilling on Sundays.

                She loved and adored her daughters more than life itself. If you were lucky enough to be present when she gazed into her daughters faces, the pure joy radiating from her was blinding. Keitha wanted nothing more for them than to be happy, and live a life with no regrets. Keitha also loved her amazing fiancé Jonathan Sanchez. They had such a fascinating relationship that was filled with lots of happiness and admiration. They were truly meant for each other because they found parts of themselves within each other. They had tons of laughter that I believe is the key to their incredible bond. She could always understand him and no matter their differences she always had his back. They have a beautiful saying to each other, "For Forever, For Always, For Life" and no matter the time they will spend apart they will always have each other for eternity.

                Keitha loved people for who they were no matter what they did. When it came to her "mommy" she could start Keitha's world on fire; LITERALLY & metaphorically speaking, but Keitha never blinked an eye just wanted to make sure her mommy was always okay; with emphasis as to not do it again but was always there with love. Her love for her mom was so much that keitha was the angel to her, Ketiha was a constant reminder of the goodness in the world and was always inspiring Rosa to be the greatest version of herself. No matter what turmoil might have occurred between the two keitha only ever saw the good in her at all times.

                The relationship she had with her older brother, Javier Lerma, was not like any other. She was the most wonderful little sister who was the ice to her brothers’ fire all the time. He was her protector but she was the only one to keep him grounded. When she saw her brother her face would light up and the time would get lost. Keitha also had her baby brother, Juan Howard and her love for him was just as extraordinary. She was his defender and when he messed up or they fought she was the only one who could take him down. LOL!! Her brothers were her world and no matter what they did she loved them unconditionally. The bond shared between these three was unbreakable and unshakeable. She was their ride or die sissy and they all had each other's backs till the bittersweet end.

                She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her. When you think of Keitha, celebrate the good memories you have of her. Remember that life is fragile and short and should be lived to the fullest. She wouldn't want you to cry for her but to smile and reminisce of the times you shared with her to keep her memory going.  In our hearts she will remain until we meet her once again.

                Keitha leaves behind her loving daughters Keitana Marie Sanchez and Zaylee Marie Sanchez, her fiancé Jonathan Michael Sanchez; her incredible "superwoman" nana Artimesia Howard; her beautiful mother Rosa Howard and Step-dad Daniel Rubalcaba; her handsome brothers Javier Lerma Jr and Juan Francisco Howard; her sister-in-law’s Sasha Lake and Montana Howard; her nieces Rianna Nicole Estrada, Jaidyn Nevaeh Lerma, Sadye Marie Lerma, Yvonnie Howard; her nephews Juan Howard Jr, Javier Michael Lerma, King Howard, Zane Mathias Lerma. Her Brother-in-laws Augustine Ugarte, Joey, Jeremy, and Josh Sanchez and her nieces and nephews Sirena, Joey Jr., Adrian, Jazsmine, Maliyah, Alyaynah, and Noelle. Her In-Laws Linda and Jimmie Higgens and Joey L Sanchez. Last but not least all her amazing Tia's, Tio's, cousins, and friends.

                A funeral service will be held at the Evergreen Cemetery in the Urn Garden. As of right now we do not have a current date for it but it will be announced later on Facebook.