Donna "Shelly" (Daniels) Howard

Donna “Shelly” (Daniels) Howard, 55, of Louisville, Kentucky, passed away peacefully on December 10, 2025, after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Born on May 3, 1970, in Akron, Ohio. Shelly brought joy and laughter to everyone who had the pleasure of making her acquaintance.

A graduate of Virgie High School, Shelly was known for her strong personality, quick wit, and fierce protectiveness of those she loved, and she loved indiscriminately. Shelly’s kind heart was a beacon to those around her, and she always put others before herself. Her sense of humor and contagious laughter will live on in our memories for years and years to come. Shelly was a music lover; for her, it was always “the louder the better,” especially when it came to Kid Rock, her favorite by far.

Shelly was preceded in death by her father, Jerry Smith.

Shelly shared her life with her devoted soul mate, Kenny Howard. Together they forged an unbreakable bond and went forth to build a family rooted in love and resilience. She was a proud mother to Kristen, Jon, and Brandon, as well as bonus daughter Ayrin (Lyle); and a beloved Mamaw to Kaylee, Kadence, Kacedy, Keanna, Ella, Presley, and Kendall.

She is also remembered with love by her mother Ann Smith; siblings Tom Smith (Jeannie), Jeri Tackett (Mark), and Duke Smith (Laurie); mother-in-law Marlene Howard; sister-in-law Kim Howard; and nieces and nephews, Molli, Maci, James, Zach, Sydney, Molly, and Aidan, who were dear to her heart.

Cancer is a thief. It robs us of the time we thought we had left with Shelly and of the memories we had yet to make. But what it cannot take away is the love Shelly gave abundantly and freely. She loved without hesitation, and we will hold this love in our hearts forever.

Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm on Monday, December 15, 2025 and from 10:00 am to 11:00 am on Tuesday, December 16, 2025, both at Newcomer, East Louisville Chapel (235 Juneau Drive). A service to celebrate Shelly’s life will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday at the funeral home with burial following at Pennsylvania Run Cemetery.

May her memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her.