John Kent Howard

John Kent Howard, 92, of Union Grove, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, Thursday, October 5, 2017 at the Gordon Hospice House.  He was born in Iredell County on July 30, 1925 to the late Claude and Myrtle Mayberry Howard. Mr. Howard was a graduate of Iredell County Schools and served his country honorably in the Navy during World War II.  He was married to Salida Faye Sherrill Howard on January 13, 1951 and they shared over 63 years of marriage before her passing on May 27, 2014.  Mr. Howard spent his entire life on the family farm and was a retired dairy farmer.  He was a charter member of North Carolina’s 100 Year Old Farms and Union Grove Volunteer Fire Department.  Mr. Howard was a member of Zion Baptist Church where he had served as a Deacon.  He had also served on the local school board before consolidation. Along with his parents and wife, Salida, he was preceded in death by two brothers, Hal and Ralph Howard. Left to cherish his memory are two daughters, Lisa H. Mathis (Roy) of Wilkesboro and Jane H. Weisner of Yadkinville; two sons, John Dan Howard (Lori) of Union Grove and James “Jimmy” Howard of Union Grove; four grandsons, Jeffrey Weisner (Ida) of Yadkinville, Shawn Weisner of Charlotte, Jerrod Howard (Lacie) of Union Grove, and Tyler Howard (Clarissa) of Jonesville; four great grandchildren, Nicholas and Jensyn Weisner, John Bryant Howard, and James Howard; and one sister, Claudette H. Femister of Olin. Funeral services for Mr. Howard will be conducted 2:00 pm Saturday, October 7, 2017 at Zion Baptist Church with Rev. Dr. Joey Tomlin officiating.  Burial with full military rites provided by North Iredell American Legion Post #113 will follow.  They family will visit with friends following the service. The family would like to thank Hospice of Iredell County for the love and care they provided. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Zion Baptist Church Home Missions, 714 Union Grove Road, Union Grove, NC 28689.  Online condolences may be made to the family at www.nicholsonfunerals.com and Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.