Mrs. Gwendolene “Gwennie” T. Howard, 94, of Union Grove, N.C., went home to be with her Lord and Savior and Ralph on December 2, 2023. Gwennie was born December 18, 1928, to the late Clyde and Ruby Redmond Templeton. She was a graduate of Union Grove High School, Class of 1945.
Gwennie attended Berry College in Georgia for two years when she was the young age of 16 and 17. Later, she attended Catawba College in Salisbury to get her teacher’s degree. She taught in Rowan and Iredell County Schools for 31 years. Gwennie loved all of her students dearly. She loved reading to them and telling them all of her stories; even to her last days she was still telling stories! She is still being greeted by her students as, “There is Ms. Howard.” Gwennie loved the land and all of her yardwork and flowers.
She was a member of Zion Baptist Church, where she taught many different age groups in Sunday School. Her love of children had her serve the nursey for seven years.
Gwennie was preceded in death by her husband, Ralph L. Howard, in 2011; her sisters, Eula Brown, Lois Goforth and Lunelle Turner. Clyde Wilson and Brenda Thompson are surviving siblings. Also surviving are her three sons, Lynn (Linda), Tommy (Ellie) and Ronnie (Judy). She was the proud grandmother of seven grandchildren, Rob, Chad, Kevin, Nicole, Matthew, Travis and Kyle. She was, also blessed with 14 great grandchildren, Anna Katherine, Thomas, Will, Luke, Liz, Ella, Kate, Sydney, Aubrynn, Avery, Brenna, Smith, Brayden and Karis. Gwennie also wanted to pay a special tribute to her close friends, neighbors and caregivers, Clifton and Barbara Benge, Gary and Christine Edwards, Mary York, Rema Britt, Samantha, Mia and Chasity Cash and Bonnie Mitchell.
The memorial and graveside service will be at Zion Baptist Church on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Dr. Joey Tomlin officiating. The family will greet friends of the family immediately after the graveside service in the cemetery of church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Baptist Church or the Gordon Hospice House of Statesville. The family would like to give a special thanks to the staff at the Gordon Hospice House for their love and support.
Troutman Funeral home is serving the family of Gwennie Howard.
My thoughts and prayer are extended to each one in the family.
In my life I have probably sat under the teaching of 25-30 Sunday School teachers. Gwennie was one of the best, hands down. She had a genuine love for all those around her.
There is no doubt as to where her presence is now. We shall again, on the appointed day, meet again in Heaven.
May that thought give you peace and comfort.
Some things have come up that I cannot attend her funeral today, but know that I will be praying for you at that appointed hour.