Samuel Lineberger Howe
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Samuel Lineberger Howe (Sam), 75, died peacefully on August 2 at Hospice of the Piedmont in High Point, NC.
Sam was born in Charlotte, NC on October 19, 1946, to the late Mr. and Mrs. George Milton Howe, Sr. of McAdenville, NC. Sam was a graduate of Charlotte Country Day School, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his BS Degree in Business Administration. Shortly after graduation, Sam enlisted in the Army National Guard where he served for six years and earned the rank of Sergeant First Class. While in the service, he became the NCO in charge of Fire Direction Control for his Artillery Battalion. In 1968, with the wise counsel of his father, Sam formed Swag-Nit, Inc., a small contract kitting business in the textile industry. The company had an initial capacity of 24,000 lbs. per week and eventually produced 400,000 lbs. per week.
Sam was an Incorporator and Director of First Gaston Bank, which today is First Horizon Bank. He enjoyed community theater in Belmont, Gastonia, and Charlotte. He served on the Board of Theater Charlotte for a three-year term and was elected President for a one-year term. He was an avid golfer, a member of Gaston Country Club, ultimately being elected as President. He was a lifelong member of First Presbyterian Church of Belmont, NC where he served three terms as a Deacon, and two terms as an Elder. He served as Chairman of the Pastor Nominating Committee which brought the Rev. Dr. Richard Boyce to First Presbyterian Church.
Later in life, Sam married his high school sweetheart, Stasia. He moved to Greensboro, NC in 2007 and lived happily for 15 years until his passing. His two later-in-life joys were reconnecting with his AKPsi fraternity brothers from UNC-Chapel Hill and the couples' succession of German Shepherd dogs which brought him great joy.
In addition to his parents, Sam was preceded in death by his brother, George Milton Howe, Jr., and his sister, Mary Ruth Howe. Sam is survived by his wife, Stasia; his children, Benjamin Vaughn Howe of Cornelius, NC, Gretchen Howe Roy (Adam) and granddaughter, Preston of Herndon, VA; his brothers William James Howe (Guyann) of Cherryville, NC, and Andrew Gullick Howe (Bobbie) of Belmont, NC; his sister, Susie Howe Haynes (Donnie) of Statesville, NC. Special family include Peter and Melissa McGriff of Newnan, GA, and JW and Ginger Austin of Albemarle, NC.
Family and friends of Sam Howe are cordially invited to attend his celebration of life service beginning at 2:00 PM on Saturday, August 6, 2022, from the graveside at Greenwood Cemetery in Belmont, NC. The Rev. Sam Warner and the Rev. Dr. Richard Boyce will officiate. The family will greet friends immediately following the service.
The Howe family wishes to express their deep gratitude to Sam's Hospice caregivers over the last weeks of his life.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Belmont Memorial Fund, 102 S Central Avenue, Belmont, NC 28012 or to Hospice of the Piedmont, 1801 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262
McLean Funeral Directors of Belmont is serving the Howe family.