Michelle Royals Howard, 60

Funeral services for Michelle Royals Howard, 60 of Swainsboro, were held Thursday, December 30, 2021 at 6 p.m. in the chapel of Chapman Funeral Home in Swainsboro, GA. Graveside services were held Friday, December 31, 2021 at 2 p.m. at Cherry Blossom Cemetery in Lizella. The family received friends Thursday, December 30, 2021 from 5 to 6 p.m. at Chapman Funeral Home. Due to unforeseen circumstances, however, there was no visitation in Savannah. She overcame a chronic illness on December 26, 2021 at her home in Swainsboro surrounded by family and friends.

Mrs. Michelle Royals Howard was born in Savannah, Chatham County, on November 5, 1961 as the only surviving child of the late Carolyn Royals–Anderson and the late Freddie Royals. She was a 1979 graduate of Lake Michigan Catholic High School. She then graduated from Savannah State College with a bachelor’s degree in business administration in 1987. Her first job was in Nashville, Tennessee at Money Gram as an associate. Mrs. Howard then worked for four years at Akron General Medical Center’s Surgical Center as a receptionist. She worked for more than 20 years as clinic administrator of Swainsboro Medical Clinic and owner/manager of Michelle’s Miniatures Antiques and Things. As a child, she was a member of the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist and was baptized at Saint Paul Baptist Church in Savannah. As an adult, Mrs. Howard was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Swainsboro and was a member and deaconess at Saint James Baptist Missionary Church in Swainsboro, where she served as the assistant church clerk and especially enjoyed decorating the church for the holidays and anniversary programs.

Mrs. Howard was a past matron of Olive Leaf Chapter No. 295, Order of the Eastern Star, past secretary for Wadley Court No. 9, Heroines of Jericho, and past secretary of the Mary Neal Allen Assembly No. 317, Order of the Golden Circle.

She kept the faith and fought a good fight before she transitioned to her eternal home. She loved her family dearly and will be truly missed by all who were blessed to have known her. Her memory will forever be treasured by her loving and devoted husband of 37 years, Anthony L. Howard, MD. She was a loving mother to three children: Monique (Maurice)L. Howard Brown, Anthony L. Howard II, and Frederick B. Howard, all of Swainsboro. She was preceded in death by her parents; mother-in-law, Eva Lou Howard; and two brothers-in-law, Cecil Howard Jr. and Gregory Howard.

Along with her husband and children, Mrs. Howard is also survived by a devoted friend, Sheila (Tommy) Givens. While not related by blood, she and Givens met shortly after moving to Swainsboro, and Givens quickly became a sister she never had. They would go on to raise their families together. In their free time, you could always find them enjoying traveling and visiting flea markets, antique stores, and auctions.

Mrs. Howard’s other survivors include: a father-in-law, Cecil (Marion) Howard Sr. of Atlanta; a half-brother, Alfonso (Janice) Royals of Atlanta; a brother-in-law, Malcom Howard of Macon; two sisters-in-law, Angela Fennell and Gayla Howard, both of Atlanta; other devoted friends, Natalie Jordan, Ann Farrar, Melissa Coppock-Devouil, and Vanessa Coppock; and a host of nieces, nephews, first cousins, other relatives, and coworkers.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mrs. Howard’s memory to the Shriners Children’s Hospital.

Chapman Funeral Home of Swainsboro was in charge of arrangements.