Rachel Howard

Mrs. Rachel Ann Carpenter Howard, age 82, of State Road passed away Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center. Mrs. Howard was born September 18, 1938 in Surry County to Joshua and Lillie Bowles Carpenter.

Mrs. Howard was a member of Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church and retired from Elkin City Schools. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and devoted follower of Christ.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Junior Paul Howard; granddaughter, April Howard; brother, Wilburn Carpenter, and special friend, Bud.

Survivors include: her children, Wanda Gilliam and husband Don of Suches, GA, Billy J. Howard and wife Karen of Jonesville, Kenneth Howard and wife Nancy of East Bend, Michael Howard and wife Jan of East Bend, Ricky Howard and wife Beth of State Road; brother, Andy Carpenter and wife Dianne of Dobson; sister-in-law, Jewell Carpenter of Dobson; grandchildren, Chanda Canup, Daniel Gilliam, Michael Paul Howard, Sabrina Puckett, Jennifer Pruitt, Julie Peterson, Jessica Howard, Joshua Howard, Jessica Eturralde, Whitney Barker, Steven Howard, Tabatha Martin, Randy Howard, Dallas Daniels, Joseph Howard; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

A private graveside service will be conducted at Crestwood Memorial Gardens with Rev. John Attaway and Rev. Dylan Cook officiating. Mrs. Howard will lie-in-state Friday, January 1, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Saturday January 2, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at Elkin Funeral Service.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church Mission Fund, PO Box 130, State Road, NC 28676.

The family would like to thank the staff of Hugh Chatham Memorial Hospital and Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center for their care.