Margaret S. Howard

March 23, 1935 - October 19, 2018 Margaret Anne Sutphin Howard, 83 of Statesville passed away on Friday, October 19, 2018 at Autumn Care of Statesville. Margaret was born on March 23, 1935 in Covington, VA to J Franklin and Bertha Mae (Knighton) Sutphin. She enrolled in nursing school due to her compassionate heart and her desire to help others. Following her graduation from Jefferson Hospital School of Nursing in Roanoke, VA, she worked as a registered nurse at Jefferson. Shortly after starting her career, she met the love of her life, Curt Howard. During this time, she worked in nursing at Portsmouth General Hospital, Jefferson Hospital, Community Hospital of the Roanoke Valley, and Iredell Memorial Hospital during her 34 year career, retiring as a department supervisor. Shortly after moving to Statesville, the family joined St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. A devoted woman of God, Margaret was looking for how she could serve and when she learned about Chrismons. After the church committee needed to replace ornaments, she learned how to make them. She looked forward each year to readying ornaments for placement on the tree, and all the preparation for Advent and Christmas worship. Margaret was a caring and sharing person, and would literally give someone the clothes off her back. She always looked for ways to serve others. Following her retirement, Margaret served with the Women’s Auxiliary for Wayside Volunteer Fire Department for almost 20 years. She coordinated fundraisers, community events, and special holiday and appreciation dinners. She was active for almost 10 years with East Iredell Seniors, and she enjoyed cooking and baking for monthly dinners. An excellent cook and baker, she happily shared her recipes and techniques with others. Margaret was also an avid reader, loved to knit, crochet, sew, and can vegetables from Curt’s garden. Those left to cherish her memory include her beloved husband of 60 years, H C (Curt) Howard, daughter Lorrie (Nelson) Dollar of Cary, NC, and grandson Ian. She will be missed by dear cousin Sue Byers who was like a sister of Covington, VA; brother Robert (Vivian) Sutphin of Covington, VA; cousins Mike (Alice) Shoemaker of Virginia Beach; VA, Carroll (Ted) Smith of Virginia Beach, VA; Albert Knighton of Clifton Forge, VA; Vickie (Ed) Callear of Midlothian, VA, Michael, Mark and Tucker Smith; nephews James Caul of Phenix City, AL, Jerry and Don Caul of Waynesboro, VA, Ernie Williams of Covington, VA, Lynn Sedlak of Potomac Falls, VA, Julie Meadows of Covington, VA, Michael Edwards of New Market, AL; grandnieces and nephews Jessica Weber, Matthew Caul, Kristi Persinger, Brandon Williams, Allison Williams, Montana Edwards, Rachel Sedlak, Regan Meadows, Abigayle Edwards, Garrett Edwards, Peyton Meadows, and Brody Edwards. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by sisters Eugenia Caul, Bertha Joyce Edwards, and Alice Williams. A Celebration of Life service will be held at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Statesville on Saturday, December 8, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. with Pastor Paul St. Clair officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations in Margaret’s memory may be made to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Statesville. Troutman Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements for Margaret Howard.