Lula Grace Johnson, better known as Jan Howard, was born in West Plains Missouri on March 13, 1930. The singer-songwriter has been married at least four times.
- Mearle Morrison Wood, married July 22, 1945 and divorced August 15, 1953
- Lowell Smith, married September 2, 1953
- Harlan Howard, married May 11, 1957, divorced in 1968
- Dr. Maurice Acree, Jr., married on August 17, 1990

Jan has had four children:
- James Van Wood was born August 27, 1947; he was adopted by Harlan Howard, and killed in Vietnam on October 30, 1968
- Carter Alexander “Corky” Wood was born July 20, 1949; he was adopted by Harlan Howard, making his name Carter “Corky” Howard
- David Bryan Wood was born June 2, 1951; he was adopted by Harlan Howard, had problems with drug abuse and committed suicide on February 15, 1973
- Janet Louise Smith was born March 15, 1954 and died April 15, 1954 of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Jan is known for songs such as “Evil on Your Mind” and “The One You Slip Around With”.