“René” Renétta Jacqueline Howard, 33, of Owensboro, passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026 at her home. She was born August 12, 1992 in Owensboro to Dr. Sandra Clark Howard and the late Darrell Wayne Howard. Rene worked as a bartender for Beef O’Brady’s and was a member of Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church. She graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 2010. René loved her family, but was most proud of her daughter, Nevaeh, who she called “her little miracle”. She loved spending time with family, taking family beach vacations, going on spontaneous adventures with Diego, Neveah, her mom, brothers and sisters-in-law, making memories along the way. She loved the fact that Neveah shared her love for hockey and was excited about her continuing that family tradition. René also loved her Beef O’Brady family and the many customers that touched her life while working at Beef O’Brady’s. She enjoyed hunting with her dad, mom, and brothers on the family farm. René definitely loved to be outside soaking up every ray of sunshine she could.
In addition to her father, she was preceded in death by her maternal grandmother, Betty Clark; paternal grandfather, B.B. Howard; and paternal grandmother, Vivian Howard.
She is survived by her mother, Dr. Sandra Clark Howard; daughter, Nevaeh Grace Del Carmen; fiancé and soulmate, Diego Del Carmen; two brothers, Raymond Howard (Anamaria) and Robert Howard (Hannah); maternal grandfather, Robert Clark (Barbara); mother-in-law, Anna Del Carmen; brothers-in-law, Jesse Applegate, Nolan Perez, Adam Perez, and Toby Perez; Godparents, Randy Clark and Rhonda Thompson; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
A funeral mass will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, 2026 at Sts. Joseph and Paul Catholic Church. Burial will follow in St. Anthony Church Cemetery. Visitation is from 3:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at James H. Davis Funeral Home and Crematory with prayers being said at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Visitation will also be from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral home.