Monday, November 17, 2025 10:53 am

Martha Louise Lee Howard, 91, passed away on Friday, November 14, 2025 at Peak Resources in Cherryville, NC.

Martha was born on April 6, 1934 in Cleveland County and was the daughter of the late Charles Franklin and Macie Shuford Lee. She was a graduate of Piedmont High School and Howard Business College. She was retired from the Cleveland County Tax Office as a Deputy Tax Clerk. She was a member of Christian Fellowship Church and former member of Palm Tree Church where she was the former Men's Choir Director. Martha also served as a member of the Polkville Volunteer Fire Department Board of Directors. In her free time she enjoyed crocheting.

In addition to her parents she is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Howard and a grandson, Charles Howard, Jr.

She is survived by a son, Charles Howard and wife Phyllis of Canton; two daughters, Sherry Helton and husband Dennis of Marion and Angela Toney and husband Terry of Shelby; a special friend Foy Brackett of Lawndale; six grandchildren, Michael Helton and wife Jennifer, Gregory Helton and wife Mandy, T.J. Toney and wife Shannon, Adraine Howard, Jessica Igwe, and Karen Jimson and husband Andrew; six great grandchildren, Kaitlyn Parker and husband Ethan, Isaiah Helton and wife Naomi, Abigail Kramer and husband Kason, Maddox Jimson, Ryland Jimson, Bella Redd, Daisy Igwe and Cameron Igwe and two great great grandchildren, Ember Helton and Macie Parker.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 2:45 PM in the Palm Tree Church Fellowship Hall.

A funeral service will be held on Tuesday at 3:00 PM at Palm Tree Church with the Pastor Loyd Hunt and Rev Jeff Clevenger officiating.

Burial will follow at church cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Palm Tree Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 157, Lawndale, NC 28090.

Online condolences can be made at www.stameytysingerfuneralhome.com.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Stamey-Tysinger Funeral Home & Cremation Center-Fallston.