Myrtle Ellen Murphy Howard, 86, of Snow Hill, passed away on Tuesday, June 13, 2023, at Greendale Forest Nursing Home. She was preceded in death by her husband, Woodley Franklin Howard, Sr.; parents, Grainger and Etta Murphy; sisters, Louvine, Estelle, Ruby, Pauline, and Lena, and brothers, Horace, Curtis, and Roy.

Myrtle was a wonderful mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She retired from the Frosty Morn packing company in Kinston and was a member of Christian Chapel Church. She loved going to New South where she could dance and make new friends. She also enjoyed gardening and cooking for her family. She never met a stranger and will be missed by many.

She is survived by her sons, Woodley Franklin Howard, Jr. and wife, Hope, of Deep Run and Michael Daren Howard of Pink Hill; grandchildren, Michael Shawn Howard and wife, Traci, of Deep Run, Walter Franklin Howard and wife, Millie, of Kinston, and Niki Howard Price and husband, Nate, of Smithfield; great-grandchildren, Keelin Blake Howard, Gage Woodley Howard, Anna Grace Howard, and Conley Wade Howard; sister, Evelyn Hall of Pink Hill; brothers, Donald Murphy and wife, Bonnie, of Pink Hill, Lewis Murphy and wife, Ellen, of Pink Hill, and Virgil Murphy and wife, Linda, of Dunn, and many other close family and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of Greendale Forest Nursing Home and Cardinal Hospice Care for their kindness and compassion throughout Myrtle’s stay.

Visitation will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023, at Howard-Carter Funeral Home, with funeral services beginning at 12:00 p.m. with Pastor Craig Simmons officiating. Burial will follow the service at Oakridge Cemetery in Pink Hill.