Betsy "Betty" Howard's Obituary
Huntersville- (Betty) Betsy W. Howard, 89, of Huntersville, NC passed from this world into the Church Triumphant in the early hours of Tuesday, September 1, 2020. In keeping with her wishes, Betty was able to stay in her home until her transition. Incidentally, this was on the sixty-ninth wedding anniversary to her husband, (Jim) James C. Howard, Jr., who had preceded her in death in 2011.
Betsy was an active member of Huntersville United Methodist Church since the early 1970s, where she was involved in her Sunday School class and related projects, the church choir, the church food bank, United Methodist Women and other church programming.
She was born in Reidsville, NC and was later employed at Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company where she met her husband Jim. The two of them raised three sons, Jimmy, Joe and Gary. Her middle son Joe Howard preceded her in death in November, 2019; and, her grandson Justin Howard preceded her in death, April, 2019.
Betsy was an active member in the Huntersville community, enjoying involvement in the Huntersville Extension Club and also working for Whitener’s Greenhouses.
She belonged to a local book club and loved to read. Humorously, she watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy religiously; and, she prided herself on the number of correct answers that she was able to guess on each show.
Betty was an excellent homemaker, seamstress, gardener, quilter and an immaculate housekeeper. She loved cooking for her family and her church.
She loved road trips with church folks to head to the mountains for apples and produce. She loved going out to eat with and simply being present with friends.
Our family would be remiss if we did not express our deepest and most heartfelt thanks to Mama’s sister Anita. Anita selflessly gave of her time, energy and attention to assist in providing care to our mother. She gave sacrificially and we will forever be indebted to her kindness.
Betty is survived by her sister, Anita Adcock of Wake Forest, NC, her brother Jack Ware of Elon, NC, sons Gary and his wife Ami, Jimmy and his wife Cheryl and her daughter-in-law Kimberly Howard. She has five grandchildren, Melanee Howard, Holden Howard, Addison Howard, Cory Howard, Holly Howard Hartsell and her husband Shea. She also has four great grandchildren, Lylah Hartsell, Landon Hartsell, Lainey Hartsell and Lincoln Hartsell.
It is of note that Betty’s great-grandchildren called her Memaw and they loved it when Memaw sat down on the floor to play with them one-on- one. She was especially talented at dressing dolls as well as playing with toy trucks and games. It was a highlight of Memaw’s winter years to enjoy playing with these children.
Funeral arrangements with be a private family graveside gathering for now with a memorial service to follow at a later date.
In lieu of flowers and other gestures of kindness, please send memorials to Huntersville United Methodist Church at 14005 Stumptown Road, Huntersville, NC 28078.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family.
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