February 12, 2025, 92, Goldsboro —
Emma Lee Game Howell, 92, was received into the presence of her Lord on Wednesday afternoon at UNC Rex Hospital in Raleigh while surrounded by her family. Emma Lee was born in Johnston County to the late William Sanders Game and Emma Blackman Game on July 7, 1932. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husbands, Robert Booker Pendergraft and William Duffy Howell; son, William Ashley “Billy” Howell, son-in-law, David William Gardner; and brothers, Bobby Game and Al Game.
Emma Lee was a long-time member of Princeton Baptist Church. She dedicated countless hours of service to the Lord there. Her passion was in cooking and found her home in the kitchen. Feeding people was an extension of who she was and a way to show how much she loved others.
Second only to the love of her Lord was the love of family. She adored her children, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her abundant blessings. Emma Lee kept close contact with her extended family and was thankful for the bond they shared.
The family will receive friends on Monday, February 17, 2025 from 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Princeton Baptist Church. A service celebrating Emma Lee’s life will follow at 3:00 p.m. in the sanctuary with Rev. Dwayne Batten and Rev. Dennis Pollock officiating. Interment will be in Evergreen Memorial Cemetery.
Emma Lee is survived by her children, Robert “Bob” Pendergraft, Jr. and wife, Kim; daughters, Bonnie Davis and husband, Frank and Cova Gardner; daughter-in-law, Patty Howell; grandchildren, Ashley Prince (Kinley), Brooke Willis (Erik), Caitlyn Howell, Taylor Gardner (Mackenzi), Hayden Gardner, Kalas Pendergraft, Karli Pendergraft, Robert Ormond and Renee Ormond; great-grandchildren, Eden Gardner, Trey Ormond, Leo Prince, Laci Prince, and Zeke Willis; brother, Jack Game; sister, Ruby Game McIntosh; and many nieces and nephews that she loved very much. She is also survived by a dear friend whom she enjoyed spending time with, Jimmy Grantham.
We would like to give a very special thank you to the members of Princeton Baptist Church that would visit and prepare meals for Emma Lee after she was unable to attend the weekly church services. Simple words cannot express our gratitude. Also a thank you to the special caregivers who cared for Emma Lee over these past years including: Christine Pendergraft, Susan Martin and Beverly Hilliard.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in her memory to American Macular Degeneration Foundation, PO Box 515, Northampton, MA 01061-0515.
Services are entrusted to Seymour Funeral Home and Cremation Service.
