Howard J. "Cotton" Stillwell

Howard J. "Cotton" Stillwell, 79, loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and brother, of Jamestown Rd. in Morganton went home to be with the Lord and his wife, Edna, on December 16, 2008. He was born October 31, 1929 in Burke County, and was the son of the late Marston and Minnie Stillwell. Howard was a member of Zion Baptist Church, and a retired employee of Crescent Resources-Duke Energy. He enjoyed being with family and friends, fishing, hunting, and spending the summer months at the campground. Howard will be missed by his canine companion, Taz.Howard is survived by three daughters, Gladys Conley and husband, Tommy, Pat Condrey and husband, Eddie, and Mae Flynn and husband, Sammy, all of Morganton; seven grandchildren, Jimmy Bailey, Tina Wilson, Vickie Flynn, Ben Flynn, Beth Pearson, Christopher Conley, and Christy Conley; 10 great-grandchildren, Daniel L., Jeremiah, Daniel B., Dillon, Robbie, Clay, Hannah, Lillie, Shelby, and Alexus; other special family members, Renee Bailey, Adam Wilson, Gil Little, Brittany Gilliland, and DJ Davis; and sisters, Geneva Pollard, Betty Poteet, and Lois Holland, and husband, Grover, all of Morganton.In addition to his parents, Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Edna Lillie Whisenant Stillwell who died in March of this year; brothers, Paul Stillwell, Bud Stillwell, and Roy Stillwell; and a sister, Gladus Lucel Stillwell who died at age 2.Funeral services will be held at 3:30 P.M., Saturday, December 20, 2008 in the Colonial Chapel of Sossoman Funeral Home with Rev. David Orders and Hospice Chaplain, Rev. Bill Hall officiating. Burial will follow at Zion Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive family and friends Saturday from 2:00 until 3:30 p.m. at the funeral home. At other times, the family will be at the residence on Jamestown Road. Memorial contributions may be made to Burke Hospice and Palliative Care, Inc., 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690, or to Zion Baptist Church, 3396 Pea Ridge Rd., Morganton, NC 28655.