CORNELIA – Evelyn Southerland Sosebee Howard, 88, passed away on Wednesday, September 7, 2016, following an extended illness.
Born in Habersham County, Ga. on August 20, 1928, the daughter of the late Perry and Mae Taylor Southerland. Mrs. Howard was an educator for over 29 years, teaching mostly in kindergarten and first grades and retired from the Banks County School System. She was a very strong mother, grandmother, and her family was her life. Mrs. Howard enjoyed traveling, bowling, and square dancing. She was of the Baptist denomination. Mrs. Howard was the last surviving member of her immediate family. She was preceded in death by her first husband, Avery Coy Sosebee, Sr.; second husband, James L. Howard; brothers, J.C. Southerland and George “Bobby” Southerland; sister, Gladys Hallford; and daughter-in-law, Luanne Sosebee.
Survivors include her sons and daughters-in-law, Avery, Jr. and Tina Sosebee,, Martin, Chester and Carol Sosebee, Athens; daughters and son-in-law, Angie Cowart, Pam and Steve Barrett, all of Cornelia; sisters-in-law, Juanita Southerland, Cleveland, and Doris Southerland, Atlanta; 11 grandchildren; and 21 great-grandchildren.
Funeral services are scheduled for 11 a.m. Friday, September 9, from the chapel of McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home with Pastor Mike Franklin officiating. Interment will follow in the VFW Memorial Park Cemetery in Demorest. The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 5 until 8 p.m. on Thursday, September 8.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Pruitt Hospice, 700 S Enota Drive, NE., Suite 202, Gainesville, GA 30501.
An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com
McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, Cornelia, is in charge of arrangements.