Joyce Horton Howell,

Joyce Faye Horton Howell, age 79, of Boomer, NC passed away Saturday evening, October 19, 2013 at Wilkes Regional Medical Center. Born in Moravian Falls on March 21, 1934 to the late Jerry Carter and Blanche Parson Horton. She worked at Holly Farms for 40 years and loved to sing. Joyce also enjoyed working in her flower beds, gardening and spending time with her family, especially her grandbabies. She attended Crossfire Church in North Wilkesboro where she was better known to her church family as "Grandma." She also attended Thankful Baptist Church and was a member of St. John Baptist Church. Along with her parents, Joyce is preceded in death by her husband: Phillip Howell; brother: Bobby Lee Horton; sisters: Margaret Howell, Edna Parsons, Maggie P. Saner, Irene Parsons, Lillian H. Wellman, Donnie Mae Howell and Myrtle Jean Horton; and granddaughter: Randy Joyce Howell.  Those left to cherish her memory include her sons: Randy Lee Howell & wife Margie and Ronnie Melvin Howell & wife Jeanette both of Boomer; sister: Lula Belle Carlton of Lenoir; brother: Luther Horton & wife Maudie of Taylorsville; four grandchildren; twelve great-grandchildren and a host of nieces and nephews.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm at Thankful Baptist Church in Boomer and Service will begin at 2:00 pm with the Rev. John C. Rowe, Rev. T.E. Martin and Rev. Ronald Howell officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.