Noël Beam Howard, 64, of Cary, died on Monday, June 27, 2016 after a courageous 18-month journey with ovarian cancer. She was born on January 13, 1952, in Columbia, SC, was crowned Miss Lincoln County in 1971, and then competed in the Miss North Carolina pageant. Noël attended UNC-Chapel Hill, where she played basketball for the Tarheels, majored in physical education, and earned a Master's Degree in Education. She taught PE at Cary Elementary School until her children were born, then taught and later directed the preschool at Greenwood Forest Baptist Church. Always an athlete, she earned a first degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and sparred in the State Games. Later attending Meredith College to study art, Noël returned to the classroom at Kingswood Elementary School as an art teacher.
Noël was a ruling elder at the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church (PCUSA), where she and her husband were charter members of both the congregation and the FaT (Faith and Theology) Adult Sunday School Class. She served in many ways: teaching children, working with youth, serving the homeless, teaching parenting classes, and using her artistic talents. Noël had a genuine warmth and infectious laugh that could win over anyone. Her strong faith led her to care for family, friends, and strangers alike.
Noël is survived by her devoted husband of 41 years, Cader Howard; sons Cader (Cameron) and Elliot (Casey); grandchildren Isaac, Mark, and Anna; her mother Jane Ninestein (Ed); siblings Mark Beam (Johnnie Rae), Lucy Hoffman (Jeff), Andy Ninestein, and Gretchen Ninestein (Douglas); and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, the Rev. Keith J. Beam.
A memorial service will be held at 2 pm on Saturday, July 9, 2016 at the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church in Cary and Childcare will be provided. Visitation will take place the evening prior at Brown-Wynne Funeral Home in Cary on Friday, July 8, 2016 from 7 to 9 pm.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to the Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian Church or to the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund Alliance.
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