Howard Cicero Etheridge

Howard Cicero Etheridge went home to be with his Lord on December 14, 2016.  He was born on the last day of August, 1926, in Palmyra, North Carolina, a small farming community near Oak City.   His parents were Cicero Lee (“C.L.”) Etheridge and Annie Henrietta Hyman Etheridge.  Howard had two older sisters – Annie Bell and Patty Gray – and a younger brother who died in infancy.  His family then moved to Hobgood, North Carolina, where Howard spent his formative years on the tobacco farm.  In 1944, at the age of 17, Howard enlisted in the United States Navy and served as a Gunner’s Mate 2nd class until the end of the war.  When he was discharged, he attended East Carolina Teacher’s College (now East Carolina University).  There he met the love of his life, Betty Jean Yates, of Rockingham, NC.  They were married in 1948 and moved to Rockingham, where Howard began his career with the J.P. Stevens Company.  Both their children, Steve and Susan, were born there.  Howard was transferred to Greer, SC, then to Charlotte, NC, and finally to Greenville, SC where he and Betty lived until 2003.  That year, they relocated to Aiken to be near family.  Howard had lived with his son and daughter-in-law Steve and Beth for the last three years.  He and Betty had been married for 58 years until her death in 2006. Howard was preceded in death by the people he loved most – his mother and father, his sisters Pat and Annie Bell, and his beloved wife Betty.  He spent his most recent years enjoying his family, including five grandchildren, Cliff Etheridge, Rob Etheridge, John Etheridge, Hannah Schrack, Stephen Willhauck and ten great-grandchildren, James Etheridge, Rose Etheridge, Caroline Etheridge, Helen Elizabeth Etheridge, Maggie Anne Etheridge, Tyrus Etheridge, Judah Etheridge, Levi Schrack, Owen Schrack and Gloria Willhauck .  He was proud of his status as a World War II veteran.  He was generously loved and held in esteem by Betty’s family in Rockingham, and spent many hours around the Sunday dinner table at his mother-in-law’s house.  After moving to Greenville in 1981, he became a Clemson fan and enjoyed keeping up with the Tigers.  Howard’s most enjoyable times in the past several years were with his Wednesday morning breakfast  club (affectionately referred to by his son Steve as The Liar’s Club), and of course with his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.  His reminiscences of his days on the tobacco farm during and after the Great Depression made many humorous and special memories for his family. Special thanks are in order for his friends in Aiken and all those who served him so graciously.  Of special note are Dr. Leopoldo Muniz and his staff at the Center for Primary Care, Mr. Steve Young and his staff at Auto Tech, attorney Buzz Rich, accountant Mike Costigan and his associates, Robin and Frances at Southern Bank and Trust, the folks at Daybreak Adult Care, and the staff at Harbor Chase, where he spent his last days with us.  Thanks also to Joe and Georgia, Gordon, Dallas, Barbara, Doug and Brenda, Fred and Louise, and David for their lasting friendship and, of course, the special spiritual nurture of his pastor, Rev. Lee Phillips. Howard also knew he was loved by the wonderful people at Trinity United Methodist Church, as well as those at New Covenant Presbyterian Church.  Finally, Howard would want to give a very special thank you to Ms. Kay King, Pam Pou, and Allen and Gail Blancett, his “angels” while he was here on earth. The funeral service will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, December 17, 2016 at Trinity United Methodist Church with the Reverend Lee Phillips officiating.  Interment, with US Navy honors, will follow in Bethany Cemetery.Pallbearers will be Cliff Etheridge, John Etheridge, Rob Etheridge, Stephen Willhauck, Louis Cribb and Kevin Schrack. Memorials may be directed to Trinity United Methodist Church, 2724 Whiskey Rd., Aiken, SC 29803, or the Alzheimer’s Association, 4124 Clemson Blvd – Ste L, Anderson, SC 29621. The family will receive friends from 5-7 PM Friday evening at SHELLHOUSE FUNERAL HOME, INC., 924 HAYNE AVE., AIKEN, SC Howard’s online guestbook may be signed at www.shellhousefuneralhome.com To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Howard Cicero Etheridge, please visit our flower store.