Emily Janice Creamer Howes, 71, of Mooresville, N.C., peacefully passed on February 14, 2020, surrounded by her family at home.

She was born on June 23, 1948, in Anderson, S.C., to Joan Jones Creamer and the late W. Roy Creamer. Janice was a 1966 graduate of the Mooresville Senior High School. She earned a B.S. in Home Economics from Winthrop College in Rock Hill, S.C. Janice began her career with Belk’s as a buyer for the Women’s Junior Department. After the birth of her children, she returned to Sacred Heart College to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education. In 1976, Janice began her esteemed teaching career with Gaston County schools, teaching kindergarten until her retirement.

Janice was an active supporter of all of her children’s activities, including PTA, Scouts, sports and church. She was a member of First Baptist Church Gastonia, and then later Covenant Baptist. After moving to Mooresville in 1998, she joined Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church, where she held various volunteer roles. Janice loved cats, gardening, and traveling.

She is survived by her mother, Joan Creamer of Salisbury; husband Neal Howes, whom she married in 2017; daughter Amy Ikall of Todd, N.C.; son Andrew Ikall of San Francisco; sisters and their families; Ann Benson of Monroe, Karen Morgan of Youngsville, and Meredith Palmer of Raleigh.

A Memorial service will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, February 22, at Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Church, Mooresville. The family will receive friends following the service at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or Lake Norman Humane, 2106 Charlotte Highway, Mooresville 28117 or Williamson’s Chapel United Methodist Pastor’s Discretionary Fund, 575 Brawley School Road, Mooresville, NC 28117.

Cavin-Cook Funeral Home & Crematory, Mooresville, is serving the Howes family. Condolences may be made to the family at www.cavin-cook.com.