Dorothy Abernathy Howard

Dorothy Abernathy Howard (Dottie), left this life August 22, 2015, to be with the Lord. Dottie was born on February 28, 1936 in Hildebran NC. She was the daughter of Jones F and Callie Whitener Abernathy. She was the youngest of nine children. During her early childhood, six of her brothers were away, serving in WWII. Dottie was preceded in death by her sister Betty and seven brothers; Glenn, Charlie, Everett, Earl, Paul, Boyd, and Willis. Dottie graduated from Hildebran High school and then Appalachian State University with a degree in Business Education. After graduation she moved to Myrtle Beach SC to teach. Dottie began her career in teaching at East Socastee High School but soon began teaching business courses to Non-Commissioned Officers at the Myrtle Beach Air Base. She made the decision to move to Winston-Salem. During her last weekend in Myrtle she had a chance meeting with Troy Howard and the rest is history. Troy and Dottie were married on June 23, 1962 in Hildebran. They made their home in Gastonia from 1962 through 1988. Dottie taught at several Gaston County high schools until the birth of their daughter, Crystal. Dottie was active in the Baptist churches that she attended, First Baptist Churches of Hildebran, Gastonia, and Fayetteville and The Memorial Baptist Church of Greenville NC. Dottie was honored to be selected for membership into Alpha Delta Kappa, an international organization for women educators. She was very active on the state, local, and international levels. She was president of Kappa Chapter in Gastonia and the founding member of Gamma Sigma in Fayetteville. Dottie served as State President for the 2000-2002 biennium. She was instrumental in the establishment of the North Carolina Alpha Delta Kappa scholarship. The scholarship is designed for promising students with average grades. Dottie was passionate that this underserved group deserved the same access to financial aid for higher education as higher performing students. She had many interests including travel, shopping, dining, and football. Troy and Dottie were Carolina Panther season ticket holders since their first season and they enjoyed going to the games. She always enjoyed supporting Troy in his career with Belk department store. Dottie is survived by her husband Troy, daughter Crystal and her husband Earle Morrison, sisters in law Eva Abernathy and Jean Abernathy. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews. A Celebration of Life service will be held 2:00pm on Wednesday, August 26, 2015, at the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service, 1503 South York Rd. in Gastonia NC following a private interment. The family will receive friends following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the following: Dorothy A Howard Scholarship Fund Cumberland Community Foundation PO Box 2345 Fayetteville, NC 28302 Alpha Delta Kappa Student Achievement Scholarship North Carolina Community Foundation 400 Six Forks Rd, Suite 524 Raleigh, NC 27609 The Memorial Baptist Church 1510 Greenville Blvd. SE Greenville, NC 27858 Hospice Pruitt Health 301 S Church St, Suite 135 Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Arrangements are with the South Chapel of Greene Funeral Service and Crematorium, Gastonia. Condolences may be made online at greenefuneral.com.