Shelby Cromer Howard

Shelby Jean Cromer Burdette Howard, a resident of Long County since 1993, went to be with her Lord and Savior on December 13, 2021.  She was born on January 22, 1939 to Donald Eugene Cromer and Norma Rabenstein Cromer in Fort Littleton, PA. She graduated from Hustontown High School, and upon graduating attended Browning Commercial School in Albuquerque, NM.

Shelby was a member at Elim Baptist Church and the Senior Adult Sunday School Class in Ludowici, GA. She served as church clerk to several churches for over 25 years along with singing in their choirs and loved playing her piano. Shelby retired from working as a bookkeeper for over 28 years from Golden and Associates CPA’s.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Donald and Norma Cromer; stepfather, William R. Peck; husband, Morris H. Howard; daughter-in-law, Ida Lou Butler; grandson, Michael “Tyler” Burdette; sister, Gloria Malone; and aunt, Ruth Covert.

Shelby is survived by son, Bryan L. Burdette of Richmond Hill, GA; granddaughter, Mellissa (Chad) Smith; great-granddaughters, Lillian and Sawyer Smith of Keller, GA; granddaughter, Jessica (Matthew) Valler; great-granddaughter, Maya Escalante of St. Petersburg, FL; son, Michael D. Burdette of Yellow Bluff, GA; great-grandson, Jaxen Burdette of Rincon, GA; two sisters, Glenda (Roy) Anderson of Orbisonia, PA and Catherine (Richard) Rhodes of Mercersburg, PA; uncle, Jim Rabenstein of Hillsboro, TN; brother-in-law, Ken (Harldene) Salter of Ludowici, GA; sister-in-law, Jane Howard of Gumbranch, GA; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 17, 2021 at Elim Baptist Church. Shelby's family will receive friends for one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow in the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Kidney Fund, 11921 Rockville Pike, Suite 300, Rockville, Maryland 20852 or to Elim Baptist Church, 6650 Elim Church Road Northeast, Ludowici, GA 31316.

Arrangements are being provided by Carter Funeral Home Oglethorpe Chapel. To share a memory or leave a condolence, please visit www.carteroglethorpe.com.