Losing someone is heavy. It's a kind of heavy that makes the simplest tasks—like checking a time or finding an address—feel like climbing a mountain. If you are looking through howell funeral home goldsboro nc obituaries, you are likely trying to piece together a schedule or find a way to honor a friend. Honestly, in a digital world that feels more like a maze every day, finding a simple death notice shouldn't be another hurdle.
People in Wayne County know that Howell Funeral Home & Crematory has a specific way of doing things. They’ve been around since 1997, starting in a small storefront on East Walnut Street. Now, they're over on Wayne Memorial Drive with their own crematory. Because they handle so many local families, their obituary page is often the most accurate place to see what’s actually happening with services in Goldsboro, Fremont, or Pikeville.
Finding Recent Howell Funeral Home Goldsboro NC Obituaries Fast
Most people just head to Google. That works, but it can be messy. You get ten different third-party sites that might not have updated the service time or the location of the reception.
The most direct way is the official website. It’s updated almost in real-time. If you look at the recent listings for early January 2026, you'll see names like Iona W. Cherry, who passed just before her 86th birthday, or Kirby Iredelle Stevens from Grantham. These aren't just names; they are neighbors. When the Howell staff posts these, they include the little details—like Kirby’s lifelong love for animals—that help you remember the person, not just the date they left.
Why the Local News Feed Matters
Sometimes the funeral home site is just the beginning. The Goldsboro Daily News often carries these notices as well. If you’re trying to find an older obituary or one from a few months back, their archives are surprisingly robust. They tag everything under "Howell Funeral Home & Crematory," which makes it easy to scroll through.
You’ve got to be careful with the "condolence" sites, though. They want you to buy flowers or "light a candle" for $20. You can do that if you want, but most families just want to see your message in the guestbook.
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What Makes Howell’s Listings Different?
You might notice that Howell’s obituaries often mention very specific local details. Since Stephen R. Howell founded the place, there’s been a focus on the "Wayne County way." They don't just list survivors. They often include the church where the "Homegoing" service is happening—places like White Oak Grove Original Free Will Baptist Church in Pikeville or Fremont Missionary Baptist.
Basically, the obituaries serve as a community map.
If you’re looking for a veteran, like Daniel Wyatte Cope Jr., the obituary will usually highlight the service at the Eastern Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. Howell handles a lot of these, and they are quite good at coordinating the military honors that go along with them.
Real Examples of Recent Services
- Perry "Devon" Miller: A 75-year-old native of Wayne County who passed on his birthday in early 2026.
- Jean Smith Jeffreys: A Fremont resident who lived to be 98.
- Donna Harrell Hill: A dedicated UPS retiree who passed in late December 2025.
These entries usually appear within 24 to 48 hours of the passing. If you don't see a name yet, it’s usually because the family is still working on the wording or waiting for a specific detail to be confirmed.
Navigating the Website and Online Guestbooks
The Howell Funeral Home website isn't flashy, and that's probably a good thing. When you land on the "All Obituaries" page, you can search by name.
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- The Search Bar: Use the first or last name. Don't worry about middle initials; it can sometimes throw the search off.
- The "Send Flowers" Link: This usually goes to a local florist. It's convenient, but you can always call a florist in Goldsboro directly if you have a favorite.
- The Guestbook: This is the big one. Families read these. Even if you haven't seen them in twenty years, leaving a two-sentence memory means a lot.
One thing people get wrong is thinking the obituary is just for the "who and where." Honestly, it’s also the place where families request donations. Look for the phrase "in lieu of flowers." If you see that, the family might prefer a donation to a local hospice or a specific church.
A Note on the Crematory and Pet Services
It's sort of unusual for a local funeral home to have its own crematory right there on Wayne Memorial Drive. Most places outsource it. Howell doesn't. This matters for the obituaries because it often means the service timing is more flexible. You might see a "Celebration of Life" listed weeks after the actual passing because they aren't rushed by a burial schedule.
They also have the Animal Care Crematory. You won't find the pets listed in the main human obituaries, but they have a separate section for that. It's a small detail, but for a lot of people in Goldsboro, their dog was a family member.
How to Get Notifications
If you’re from the area but live elsewhere now, you probably don't want to check the site every day. You can actually sign up for their email list.
Every time a new obituary is posted, you get an alert. It’s a bit morbid for some, but if you want to make sure you don't miss the passing of a former teacher or a distant cousin, it’s the most reliable way. You won't have to rely on the Facebook algorithm to tell you someone passed away three days after the funeral already happened.
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What to Bring If You’re Planning a Service
If you are the one writing the obituary for a loved one at Howell, they’re going to ask for:
- Full legal name and any nicknames (like "Lee Lee" or "Mother Cherry").
- Birthplace and parents' names.
- Education and career highlights.
- A list of survivors (don't forget the spouses of children).
- A high-resolution photo.
They help you polish it, so don't feel like you need to be a professional writer. They’ve done this thousands of times.
Taking the Next Step
If you have found the obituary you were looking for, make sure to double-check the service location. Some services are at the Howell chapel (which seats about 300), while others are at local churches.
Next Steps for You:
- Verify the Location: Ensure you know if the service is at the Wayne Memorial Drive chapel or a specific cemetery like Eureka or Pikeville.
- Sign the Online Guestbook: Even if you plan on attending the service, an online note provides a lasting record for the family to look back on.
- Check for Memorial Preferences: See if the family has requested donations to a specific charity before ordering flowers.
- Contact the Office: If you have a specific question about a viewing or a service time that seems unclear, call them directly at 919-731-7490. They are available 24/7.