Blanche Roland Howard

Blanche Elizabeth Roland Howard, 82, of Nebo, passed away Friday, July 4, 2025, at the Solace Center in Asheville.

Blanche was born in Old Fort, NC on August 10, 1942, to the late Lester John Roland and Marie Wilson Roland. She worked at Ethan Allen, with whom she retired after many years of dedicated service. Blanche was a devoted Christian and a member of Parkers Chapel Baptist Church, where she was a children’s Sunday School teacher. She loved to read her Amish books and was a courageous fighter throughout her recent illness. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother, who will always be loved and remembered.

In addition to her parents, Blanche was preceded in death by a grandson, Aaron Kyle Hudgins; a step son, Randy Howard; a son-in-law, David Edward Hall; a sister-in-law, Shasta Roland; and a brother-in-law, David Stine.

Those left to cherish her memory include her husband of 48 years, William Howard; three children, Theresa Hall (Bobby), Darryl Hudgins (Debbie), and Tony Hudgins (Kim); a sister, Hazel Stine (Lloyd); a brother, Gene Roland (Sharon); seven grandchildren; and six great grandchildren.

A funeral service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, July 8, 2025, at the Chapel of Beam Funeral Service. Rev. Victor Worley and Rev. Brian Gentry will officiate. Burial will follow at McDowell Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made in Blanche’s honor to Parkers Chapel Baptist Church, 93 Gable Dr., Marion, NC 28752; or CarePartners Hospice Solace Center, 21 Belvedere Rd, Asheville, NC 28803.