John Neal Howard

John Neal Howard, 82 years of age, passed away June 21, 2017 at Wake Forest Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. He was the son of the late Johnny Gus Howard and the late Mamie Cowan Howard. He was twice married, first to Annie Faye Witt-Hope and second to Marva Nash-Howard, both of whom preceded him in death. In addition to his parents and wives, Neal (as he was most often called), was also preceded in death by his loving daughter Scekeithia Howard, three (3) brothers, James, Robert, and Leonard Howard, and his grand-daughter, Tyler Howard-Middleton.
Neal was a graduate of Morningside High School in Statesville NC. He was a member of Davidsonville Baptist Church in Statesville NC, and attended New Zion Baptist Church in Winston Salem. During his youth, Neal enjoyed playing the trumpet and singing with his brothers in a group called the ""Z-Cats."" Neal began a long employment history in the trucking industry, starting out driving long distance for Carolina Mirror of Wilkesboro NC, moving onto Strickland Trucking and Freight while residing in Harrisburg PA, and then finished up retiring from Consolidated Freightways out of Richmond VA. Neal moved to Winston-Salem, NC in 1996 where he lived up to the time of his passing.
Neal leaves to cherish memories of his life, special friend and companion Betty James; three (3) sons, Larry Gray (Joyce) of Statesville, NC; Gregory Howard (Lisa) of Charlotte, NC; and Stephan Howard of Winston-Salem, NC; two (2) daughters, Katrina Howard Pemberton (Mykal) of Philadelphia, PA and Chadilynne Howard of Winston-Salem, NC; Niece Rita Howard of Baltimore, MD; six (6) step-children; ten (10) grandchildren; two (2) great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and other relatives. A Celebration of life will be held at 2:00pm Thursday at Hayworth-Miller Silas Creek Chapel.