Nancy Turner Howard

Raleigh-Nancy Turner Melvin Howard, 72, of Garner, went to be with the Lord on March 28, 2013 from complications related to Myelodysplastic Syndrome and Acute Myeloid Leukemia. She passed peacefully at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC.At the request of the deceased, all services will be private.Condolences may be sent to Bryan-Leefuneralhome.com. The family will receive visitors at the home of Chris and Kristi Barden on Monday, April 1, 2013 from 5:00PM-8:00PM. Nancywas born in CumberlandCounty on July 20, 1940. Shewas co-valedictorianof the 1958 graduating class of Stedman High School and was a graduate of Atlantic Christian College. Nancy spent a number of years with Allstate Insurance in Fayetteville, NC and retired as an accountant for the March of Dimes Folic Acid Division in Raleigh, NC. Ms. Howard was preceded in death by her parents, Joe Turner and Sarah Player Turner Carter; one brother, Leon Turner, and one sister, Josephine Jo Gover. She is survived by her son, Bob Melvin and his wife, Janet, of Wilson, NC; daughter, Kristi Joan Melvin Barden and her husband, Chris, and three grandchildren, Adam, Holly, and Nicholas Barden, all of Garner, NC; her brother, Ed Turner of Greensboro, NC; two step-grandchildren Jonathan and Jason Peele of Wilson, six step-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. Ms. Howard wished to express gratitude to the members of Aversboro Road Baptist Church for their care and concern, especially the Heaven Bound Anne Raynor Sunday School Class. She also wanted to thank the Cancer Center of North Carolina, especially Dr. Rose, Danielle Fogg, and the Oncology department for their exceptional care. A special thank you also goes to the staff of SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, NC for your loving care. Nancy 'Nana' was a unique, loving mother, grandmother, friend, and Christian. She loved God, her family, especially her grandchildren, and her many close friends. She lived her life for Christ and would served in any capacity possible. Outside of church and family, she loved gospel and Bavarian music, and Helen, GA in the fall. Her love for cleanliness and promptness kept those around her on their toes. And we all know her love for all things blue. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Student Ministry of Aversboro Road Baptist Church, Garner, NC and to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Cary, NC.