Josephine Howell Garland

Josephine “Jo” Howell Garland, 89, of Drexel, went to her Heavenly Home on Wednesday January 21, 2026 at her residence after a period of declining health.

Mrs. Garland was born August 11, 1936, in Mitchell County, a daughter of the late John and Minnie Buchanan Howell. She was retired from the textile industry and after retirement assisted her daughter with her hair salon, meeting and making many new friends. She loved the Lord and served as a faithful member of Icard’s Grove Baptist Church where she helped with the senior citizens meals and a former member of the WMU.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of over sixty-six years, Max Garland; by her sisters, Dorothy Sparks, Lillian Clayton, Helen Buchanan, Naomi Reynolds and a brother, James Howell.

Those left to cherish her memory are son, Lyle Garland (Tamara) of Thomasville, a daughter Lori G. Greene (Eric) of Drexel, and her twin sister, Madeline "Jean" Usery of Lowell, NC. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Ashley Ingram (Brian) and Megan Garland great-grandchildren, Taylor Garland and Landon Garland, Step-grandchildren, Chuck Bartlett (Mia), Curt Bartlett (Samantha), Shane Bartlett (Kerri), step-great-grandchildren, Caroline Bartlett, Madie Bartlett, Lily Bartlett, Lucas Bartlett, Thomas Bartlett, Eloise Bartlett, McKayla Ingram and Nicholas Ingram and a number of nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Josephine “Jo” Garland will be held at 11:00 A.M. Wednesday January 28, 2026 in the Chapel of Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese with Rev. Lee Joyner officiating.

Entombment will follow in the Burke Memorial Park Mausoleum.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 A.M. until 11:00 AM Wednesday at Heritage Funeral Service, Valdese.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Carolina Caring and all of her caregivers, “All God Sent”, for the excellent care given Mrs. Garland

Memorials may be made to Icard’s Grove Baptist Church,3097 Icard Grove Ave., Connelly Springs, NC 28612 or Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.

An online obituary and guestbook is available at www.heritagefuneralservices.com.