Roy Eugene Howard, Sr.

Master Sergeant (Retired) Roy Eugene Howard, Sr., 81, of Statesville, passed away Monday, February 01, 2016 at the Gordon Hospice House. Roy was born on May 2, 1934 to Carl Henry and Donnie Mae Lineberger Howard. He attended Avery Sherrill School, D. Matt Thompson Jr. High, and Statesville Sr. High School; Graduate Class of 1952. He worked for J C Penney store and J C Penney Distribution Center. He was over the Shoe Department at the store and was Unit Head at the Warehouse. Roy is survived by his wife Sarah Elizabeth Morrison (Betty) Howard, whom he married July 9, 1957; one daughter Elizabeth Leigh (Libby) Howard Hill (Roger); two sons; Roy Eugene (Gene) Howard, Jr. (Susan) and Phillip Wayne Howard (Cammie). Also four grandchildren: Carroll Lee (Buck) Burns, KeeLeigh Elizabeth Hill, Taylor Grace Howard and Zachary Cole (Zach) Howard. Also two step grandchildren: Michelle Knauss and Keith Knauss and one great granddaughter: Faith Tyner. Roy is also survived by brother and sister in law Milton and Catherine Morrison, Jr and sister in law Rhoda Harpe as well as two nieces and two nephews. Roy was a lifetime member of Race Street United Methodist Church and later Hope United Methodist Church. Most recently, Roy attended Hebron Baptist Church where he was an usher and greeter. Roy was drafted into the US Army and qualified for OCS. Roy spent 32 years in the military, both active and reserves. His US Army discharge is dated May 2, 1994 at 60 years of age. Roy was a cryptographer with top secret clearance in the US Army and a graduate of MOLC School, Senior NCO School, Senior NCO Command and Senior Staff School. Army medals or ribbons awarded to Roy include Army Service Ribbon, National Defense Service Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, National Armed Forces Expeditional Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal. Roy was a member of American Legion Post 65 in Statesville NC. Funeral services for Mr. Howard will be held 3:00 PM Thursday, February 4, 2016 at the Nicholson Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Darren Johnson and Rev. Joe Parker officiating. Burial with full military honors provided by the Iredell County Veterans Burial Detail will follow at Oakwood Cemetery. The family will visit with friends at the funeral home prior to the service from 2:00 until 3:00 PM. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Gordon Hospice House, 2341 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625, Kitchen Fund of Hebron Baptist Church, 175 Hebron Road, Statesville, NC 28625, or to the Deep and Wide Student Ministries, c/o South River Baptist Church, 2659 S. Chipley Ford Road, Statesville, NC 28625. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.