Howard Lee Michael

Howard Lee Michael, 92, was called home to the Lord on June 2nd, 2026, ushered by song. He is now reunited with his wife of 62 years, Sallie Frances Murphy Michael. Born May 20th, 1934 in Mountain View, NC, he was the last surviving child of the late Craig Logan and Winnie Lee Parlier Michael.

In addition to his wife and parents, he was preceded in death by his siblings Kathleen Abernethy, Ruby Abernethy, Berlie, Charles, Mack, Bill, Delena Baker, Ola Jean Helder, Cora Clay, John, Bob, and Barbara Burkhart along with the many friends he met in his 92 years on earth.

Left to remember him fondly are his daughters, Lisa Morgan and her husband Steve, Connie Shumate and her husband David; his grandchildren, John Buxton Long, Jr., Emily Frances Long and her partner Charlie Ewing, Sallie Logan Mason and her husband Wesly Mason, Margaret Lee Shumate and her fiancé Eddie Lee, William David Shumate and his fiancée Kennedy Vernon; his great-grandchildren, Phoenix and Nova Mason; his sister-in-law Violet Treadway Michael, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Howard spent the bulk of his career at the GE Transformer Plant and was a proud union member. He built his dream home on Lake Hickory where he seemingly taught everyone his daughters knew how to water ski. He and his wife were also charter members of Our Savior Lutheran Church, founded in 1960. In retirement, he purchased his home away from home in Cherry Grove, SC, where he spent summers with all his grandchildren both growing up and into adulthood.

Though his formal education ended after the sixth grade, Howard was fiercely intelligent, and possessed an enduring passion for staying well-informed. He was an avid reader who rarely missed a daily paper, the newest political biography, or the evening news. A collector of many things, (trains, telephones, and gumball machines to name a few) he was a regular at the local flea markets in search of his next treasure. In his off time, and his later years he embraced the role of a 'professional piddler', a man who could spend all day being busy doing nothing, and enjoying every minute of it. Yet, through all his hobbies, his greatest joy remained spending time with his family, from watching his grandchildren grow to adults and welcoming his great-grandchildren in his final years.

The family would like to extend their sincerest gratitude to everyone who cared for him, not only at Trinity Village, but also Catawba Valley Medical Center and Carolina Caring for the love, care, and compassion to Howard and his family throughout his final days.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Howard's name may be made to Our Savior Lutheran Church, 2160 35th Avenue Drive NE, Hickory, NC 28601 to supply the Blessings Box with food and essentials for our neighbors in need, or to Carolina Caring Foundation, 3975 Robinson Road, Newton, NC 28658 in gratitude for the exceptional care and support they provide to our community.

A Celebration of Life for both Howard Lee & Sallie Frances Murphy Michael will be held at Our Savior Lutheran Church on December 27th, 2026.

Please sign the online guestbook on the Memorial Wall at www.jenkinsfuneralhome.net. The Michael family has entrusted arrangements to Jenkins Funeral Home and Cremation Service in Newton 828-464-1555.