Harold Howard: Obituary

Harold Howard, age 70 of Murphy, NC passed away Monday, January 28, 2019 at his residence.

He was a native of the Western NC Mountains, spent his early childhood in the area of Bryson City. As a young boy his parents, Grady and Gracie Howard, relocated to the Hiwassee Dam area of Cherokee County in order for his father to continue to work with the TVA. He and his family enjoyed music and spent time singing and playing together. Harold taught himself how to play the guitar, and did so from childhood until his cancer became too much for he and his wife Doris of 11 years to travel around the area singing. Playing at churches, community centers, homeless shelters and nursing homes were part of his passion. Harold attended Moccasin Creek Baptist Church.

Harold had many jobs and trades throughout his life. After returning from a two year service with the Army in the late 1960s, he created a life for himself and his family doing things such as carpentry, masonry, driving long haul trucks and mining, operating heavy equipment, and finally retiring as a landscape specialist in the herbicide and pesticide department of NCDOT, where he worked 26 years. Harold had many hobbies and loves during his life. Mainly fishing, singing and playing his guitar with his family and friends. He enjoyed NASCAR racing and even had a race car on the Tri-County dirt track around the time of 1990. Harold liked horseback riding for many years and rode in the wagon train on occasion.

Harold leaves behind a very large extended family that he enjoyed seeing and visiting. He would usually attend family reunion gatherings twice a year, one in Bryson City, NC in June and the other in Canton, Ohio in September.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by brothers, Dennis, Bill and Grady Howard, Jr.

He also had a close immediate family including his wife Doris Burrell Howard; daughter, April Howard Hines (Steve), son, Josh Howard (Stephanie Blue) and daughter, Amber Howard Patterson (Robert); grandchildren, Brittany Morrow Barbour (Brandon), Drew Morrow, Lynnex Patterson and Case Patterson; great-granddaughter, Notla Barbour and great-grandsons, Clayton Barbour, Noah and Caleb Broome; step-daughter, Pamela Sneed Payne (Dexter) and step-son, Daniel Sneed (Becky); step-grandchildren, Dakota Sneed, Seth Sneed, Gage Sneed, Justice McKay, Jarrett Sneed and Aerian McKay; brothers, Wayne Payne (Mary), Wade Howard (Linda), RL Howard (Debbie), Doug Howard (Shirley); and sister, Betty Roberson (James).

Harold was well known by the entire county and communities. He will be truly missed, but his family and friends rest in the fact that he is singing, playing and fishing in heaven with no more pain, heartache or worry in the presence of our Lord.

Funeral Services will be held at 11 am, Friday, February 1, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home Chapel in Murphy. Rev. Doug Howard and Rev. Chip Siller will officiate. Burial will be in the Laurel Branch Cemetery in Bryson City, NC. Pallbearers will be Steve Hines, Robert Patterson, Drew Morrow, Brandon Barbour, Daniel Sneed and David Toney. Honorary pallbearers will be Mush Davis, Tom Anderson, Sam Cole, Danny Sneed, Chip Siller, Mitchell Prince and Ronnie Ware.

The family will receive friends from 6-8 pm, Thursday, January 31, 2019 at the Townson-Rose Funeral Home.

Townson-Rose Funeral Home is in charge of all arrangements.