Obituary: Stephen Anthony Howard

Stephen "Steve" Anthony Howard, 69, peacefully passed away on October 12, 2026. Born on January 30, 1957. Steve will be remembered for his deep love of the Lord, his family—especially his grandchildren—and his passion for fishing and flying RC scale aircraft.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Sara Griffin, and his parents, Stephen Lambert Howard and Sarah Wilson Howard.

Steve is survived by his beloved wife, Phyllis Joyner Howard, of the home; his sister, Sharon H. Pate; and his mother-in-law, Janice Joyner. His legacy lives on through his children and grandchildren: daughter Susan Lococo and her husband Matt, along with their children Sara, Stephen, Carlee, and Caitlyn; daughter Gail Smith and her daughter Nita, as well as Christian Smith (son of Leroy) and his son Creedence, who was loved and treated like a great-grandchild; daughter Cyndal Sessoms and her husband Josh, along with their children Dawson and Sawyer; son William Wiggins and his wife Kayla, along with their children Meila and Wyatt; daughter Stacie Whitfield and her husband Isaac "Zack," along with their daughter Annelise; and daughter Savanna Howard and her daughter Charlie.

Visitation will be held at Garner Funeral Home in Kinston on Thursday, October 15, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. The funeral service will take place on Friday, October 16, 2026, at Tanglewood Church at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at the Griffin-Daugherty Cemetery, located at 465 Daugherty Road, Dover, NC.

Garner Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

On-line condolences may be sent to garnerfuneralhome.com