Martha Owens Howe

Martha Ann Owens Howe passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, February 25, 2023. She was born on December 10, 1937 to the late Burbage and Mamie Owens in Conway, SC. She was predeceased by her much loved younger brother, Durwood Owens. In the days before her death, she smiled and said there was going to be a party in heaven when she joined him and her parents. Martha graduated from Winthrop University with her Bachelor and Master degrees in Education. She began her teaching career in Spartanburg and Charleston before moving to Myrtle Beach in the mid-60s where she spent the vast number of her 33 years teaching high school business courses. She was a beloved teacher, Junior Class advisor, and FBLA advisor, taking students to regional and national competitions. Throughout most of her teaching career, she was a member of the SC Aloha Epsilon chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa. Following her retirement, she was a member of the Lioness Club of Conway, later reconstituted as Women of Hope of Horry County, and served many years as their Social Secretary. She was a longtime member of Ocean View Baptist Church, a participant in Bible Study Fellowship, and more recently enjoyed the Women's Bible Study at Belin Memorial United Methodist Church. Martha was fiercely devoted to her family, instilling in her children a strong work ethic and dedication to caring for one another through thick and thin. She met Bill, her husband of nearly 58 years, in Charleston, SC, and they built a home together in Myrtle Beach that has been a place for family and friends to gather over five decades for pool parties, late dinners, and long hours in the kitchen playing cards and Rummikub and talking into the wee hours of morning. She has always been known as a "classy lady" with Southern manners who taught her children early how to set a table and follow etiquette! Her role as Grammy has been one of great joy to her and her grandchildren. She is survived by her loving husband, William "Bill" Howe; daughters, Tracey Freeman (Doug) and Melissa "Missy" Whaley (Brian); grandchildren, Rachael Freeman, Madison Freeman, Morgan Whaley, and Brennan Whaley; great-grandson, Wallace Freeman; sisters-in-law, Connie Owens and Ruth Barrett, and beloved nieces and nephews. The family will receive friends on Saturday, March 4, 2023 at 1 pm at Goldfinch Funeral Home in Conway with the service at 2 pm in the chapel. A brief graveside service will follow at Hillcrest Cemetery. Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. The family would like to express our deep appreciation to the staff of Dr. Winston McIver and Dr. William Jackson, as well as Promedica Hospice for their wonderful and compassionate care. Goldfinch Funeral Home, Conway Chapel is in charge of arrangements. Funeral Service will be livestreamed at https://vimeo.com/event/2983548 To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Martha Owens Howe please visit our Sympathy Store.

Martha Owens Howe

December 10, 1937 - February 25, 2023