Since the 1960s, Jan Howard has blessed the country music world with her angelic voice, and because of this, many listeners have become interested in learning more about the singer. As we explore interesting facts about her and leap through the chapters of her life, from her childhood to how she started her music career, we’ll eventually discover what made her a worldwide icon during the 1900s and a legendary singer everyone looks up to today.
1. From One City to the Next
Born on March 13, 1929, in West Plains, Missouri, Jan Howard was eighth of eleven children. She grew up in an underprivileged household where her father struggled to provide for the whole family. Because of this, they had no choice but to move city after city, depending on where their father was assigned to work.
2. The Assault
At the age of eight, Jan experienced one of the most inhumane feelings a child could ever bear. When they returned to the West Plains after moving from one city to the next, she revealed in her 1987 autobiography that a family friend had taken advantage of her.
She describes the experience as something horrendous, revealing that her mind and body were far beyond damaged after that traumatizing experience. Because of this, she ended up keeping this inhumane experience a secret from her family for many years.
3. Marriage, Abuse, Divorce
At the age of 16, Jan married her then-husband, Mearle Wood. However, their marriage didn’t last that long.
After having three kids, Mearle started getting abusive towards Jan to the point that he almost killed her. Because of this, Jan decided to end their marriage when she filed for divorce as she took her kids and went back to her hometown to start a new life.
She then met her second husband, Lowell Smith, whom she married in 1953. However, after finding out that Lowell was married to another woman, Jan decided to end another marriage.
4. A Hardworking Mom
To ensure her kids’ well-being, Jan had no choice but to work various jobs to provide for her family. Before her success in music, she once worked as a dishwasher, a waitress, and many others.
5. The Beginning of Becoming a Star
After working a series of part-time jobs, Jan eventually got a job as a secretary in Los Angeles. During her time there, she was able to meet Harlan Howard, an aspiring country music songwriter at that time – and guess what? The two immediately fell in love at first sight.
As their relationship grew deeper, it was only the time Harlan found out that his wife actually had an angelic voice. Because of this, Harlan decided to use his wife’s voice for his demonstration records – and let’s just say the rest was history.
6. A Real Estate Agent
Although she had already worked as one of the most successful singers in country music, this didn’t stop her from obtaining her real estate license in the late 1970s.
7. A Philanthropist
After going through so much in life, Jan knew how hard it was to live comfortably. After her son was killed in the Vietnam War, Jan never stopped ever since in supporting veterans returning from war.
8. A Sad Goodbye
As one of the pioneering women in country music, her death in 2020 at the age of 91 was devastating news to many. According to reports, her cause of death was pneumonia.
But despite this great loss, Jan Howards’ spirit will continue to live on through the great music she left for everyone to enjoy – and that is a fact no one can deny.
