Derrell Thomas Howard

Derrell Thomas Howard, 84, of Arden, left his well-lived Earthly body for his new Heavenly one with Jesus Christ on Tuesday, August 21, 2018 at the CarePartners Solace Center. A native of Shelby, NC, he was a son of the late Hazel and Annette Kelly Howard. Derrell proudly served his country in the US Army during the Korean Conflict. Following his time in the service, he established a successful career in sales, most recently in the paper industry. He was an active church leader, both at Groce United Methodist Church in Asheville and at Ooltewah United Methodist Church near Chattanooga, TN. In his spare time, he enjoyed golf, reading and spending time with his family. Derrell is survived by his wife of over 28 years, Sherry Beck Howard; three children, Pat Howard (Barbara), Wendell Howard (Amy) and Kelly Beasley (Keith); two step-children, Kim Craven Kirk (Tim) and Kelly Craven Pickett (Brian); thirteen grandchildren, Josh Howard (Jess), Jacob Howard, Taylor Howard (Leah), Keri Howard Piller (Keenan), Kadee Beasley, Maggie Beasley, Caroline Price Bailey (Scott), Kirsten Price, Ryan Kirk, Davis Kirk, Abbey Pickett, Jack Pickett and Hunter Pickett; four great-grandchildren, Hudson Howard, Sutton Howard, Hawkins Howard and Layla Price Bailey; two brothers, Don Howard (Ann) and Dean Howard (deceased wife, Lois); two step-brothers, Terry Beck (Ann) and Richard Beck (Sandi) and numerous nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 5:30 PM on Friday, August 24, 2018 at Grace Mills River. His family will receive friends at the church on Friday from 4:00-5:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, the family graciously asks that memorial donations be made in Derrell’s name to either Grace Mills River, 495 Cardinal Road, Mills River, NC 28759 or to CarePartners Hospice, PO Box 25338, Asheville, NC 28813. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting his family.