Jamario Howard spotted the elderly woman at a restaurant in Oxford, Alabama

He invited the woman to join him and his friends at their table on Thursday night

A picture of them was posted to Facebook and received more than 31,000 views

A man and his friends have been praised for sharing a meal with a widowed elderly woman after spotting her dining alone in a touching act of kindness.

Jamario Howard had been eating at a restaurant in Oxford, Alabama, with his friends Jamychol Baker, Tae Knight, when he noticed the widowed woman eating by herself on Thursday evening.

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After discovering the woman would have celebrated her 60th wedding anniversary the next day, Mr Howard took to Facebook to share a picture of the moment and stated: 'The woman changed my outlook on life and how I look at other people.'

Jamario Howard invited the elderly woman to join him and his friends for a meal together at a restaurant in Oxford, Alabama

After taking to Facebook to post a picture of the four of them at the restaurant table, the kind gesture has since received more than 31,000 shares on Facebook.

A post written by Mr Howard read: 'So tonight JaMychol Baker, Tae Knight and myself went out to eat at this place called Brads in Oxford, and after us sitting there a while waiting on our food I noticed an elderly woman sitting alone.

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'My exact thoughts was ''dang I'd hate to have to eat alone''. So after thinking about it a minute I walked over to her and asked if I could sit with her.

'She said yes and we talked for a minute and after a while of talking she told me she lost her husband and that tomorrow would have been their 60th anniversary.

After inviting the woman to join them at the table, Mr Howard took to Facebook to share a post on the importance of being kind to people

The post has since gathered more than 31,000 shares on social media and more than 9,000 comments

'I instantly gave my condolences and asked her to come eat with us, which she was excited to do.

'The point in this is always be kind and be nice to people. You never know what they are going through.

'This woman changed my outlook on life and how I look at other people. Everyone has a story so do not judge! And people I can't stress this enough. Go see your Mom and your grandparents. They miss you!!'

One user wrote that the gesture had given her hope that there are still goof people out there while another thanked Mr Howard for 'bringing light to us'

Following the post, social media users were quick to share their thoughts on Mr Howard's gesture.

One user, Connie McBride-Thibodeaux, wrote: 'That was awesome, love one another, life is too short.'

Barbara Boxold said: 'How wonderful you are! You can be very proud of yourself!'

While Sarah Foreman commented: 'That was very sweet of this guy we need more people like you in the world. God bless you son.'

Also adding her thoughts on the kind gesture, Emily Montgomery Hunt wrote: 'How thoughtful of you and your friends. Gives hope that there are still good people out there. God bless you and this dear lady.'