Dayna Lorraine (Ham) Howell

Dayna Lorraine Ham was born into humble surroundings in Ashe County, North Carolina during The Great Depression.  She grew up in a rural farm community surrounded by family and friends.  Over the next eighty-nine years Dayna resided in Maryland, Delaware and South Carolina before returning to North Carolina for the remainder of her life.  She passed away peacefully in King, North Carolina not too far from the beautiful mountains of Ashe County that forever remained in her heart.

Dayna, known as Lorraine to many, was renowned for her seamstress skills and ability to sell.  Since the 1970s she owned and operated several retail clothing shops, crafted handmade window treatments, and developed a prosperous eBay business selling fabric.    

She loved her “little house”, the former King Public Library, that she had converted into a home.  Until a few months before her passing, this little house was all she needed.  It was quaint, cozy and often quite warm.  This was her home, her safe place for over thirty years.  Countless servings of homemade biscuits and gravy were served to family from the tiny kitchen.

In her later years Dayna was somewhat of a recluse, shying away from visitors, possibly a holdover from the Covid scare, but she loved and welcomed her family.  Her sons were her pride, only to be overshadowed by her grandchildren and great-grandson.  Anytime they visited, while Dayna’s health permitted, they could count on a hefty helping of her biscuits and gravy.

Dayna struggled with physical pain for much of her life.  In 1966, not far from her birthplace, a drunken driver collided with her on a one lane bridge.  The next fifty-nine years were plagued with backpain and many surgeries that offered only limited relief.  Although her pain was evident almost every day, she pushed through and provided for her family.

Dayna married Henry Howell in 1954.  Soon after, they moved from North Carolina to Maryland where they raised two sons.  Their marriage ended in 1969, but they remained friends until Henry’s death in 2021.

Her last few months were spent dealing with the ravages of stomach cancer.  She was able to remain in her little house until October 2024.  Since then, she has been cared for by David and his wife, Tonya, in their home.  This is where she resided, with excellent care, until her passing.

Dayna was preceded in death by her parents, Charles Wade Ham and Ella Osborne Ham, two sisters Valerie Parker and Selma Privett, and two brothers, Bruce Ham and Charles Gale Ham.  She is survived by two sons, Joe Howell (Joni) of Columbia, Tennessee and David Howell (Tonya) of King, North Carolina.  Three grandchildren, Marsha Norman (Jeremy) of Ernul, North Carolina, Garrett Howell and Jenna Howell of King, North Carolina.  One great-grandson, Jackson Wade Norman of Ernul, North Carolina.  Step-granddaughter Mindy Doughtie (Chris) of Spring Hill, Tennessee and two step-great-grandchildren Hannah Doughtie and Justus Doughtie of Spring Hill, Tennessee.

The family plans to have a celebration of life at a future date.

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