Cathy Reep Howell

Born May 31, 1948 in Hickory, N. C., Cathy was the daughter of the late James Reep and Kathleen Bush Reep of Burke County. She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Kathyrn Nanette Downs.

Cathy worked for several years in the l990’s for Drs. Wooten and Davis in Newton. Cathy lived life to the fullest, loved to laugh and made sure that everyone around her was comfortable. She loved music, her dogs, her family and the simple things in life. She will be truly missed by many and her stay on this earth was way too short.

Survivors include her husband, Ray Howell of Claremont; a son, Charles Bruce Downs, III, and his wife, Heidi, of Hudson; a brother, Terry Reep and his wife, Paula, and a nephew Phillip of Burnsville; a stepson, Thomas Howell and his wife, Diane of Conover; a step daughter, Carla Howell of Lexington, VA; a step granddaughter, Hope Howell of Conover; a step granddaughter, Emilee Icenhour of Hudson; a brother-in-law, Ronnie Crain of Gilkey, NC husband of Cathy’s deceased sister-in-law, Nan Crain and all of Nan’s 4 children and 6 grandchildren,

The family will receive friends from 9:45 until 10:45 AM on Thursday, July 28, 2011 at Hickory Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11:00 AM on Thursday at Hickory Funeral Home Chapel with the Reverend Marcus Ollis officiating.

A graveside service will be at 12:30 PM in St. John’s Lutheran Church Cemetery in Hudson.

A special thanks to Sandy Cervenak of Hickory, Barney and Gail Scott of Claremont, and the Catawba County Palliative & Hospice Care for their help in the care of Cathy during her fight with the latter stages of Alzheimers. There was a special place in Cathy’s heart for each of these angels on earth.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Cathy’s name to either the Palliative CareCenter & Hospice of Catawba Valley, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, N. C. 28658 or the Catawba Co. Animal Services, P. O. Box 389, Newton, N. C. 28658.

Condolences may be made online at www.hickoryfh.com.

Hickory Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.