Jacki Howell

Jacki Rivers Howell, 57, of Norwood, North Carolina, passed away peacefully at home on September 26, 2025.

Born on October 19, 1967, Jacki was the daughter of the late Edward Rivers, Sr. and Mickey Tucker Rivers.

Jacki fiercely loved her family and devoted her life to them. From a young age, she captured her mother's love for children and carried it with her throughout her life. Her children's friends became like her own, and her door was always open. She shared that same open heart with her schoolchildren and freely gave her love to all who knew her.

She is survived by her husband, Todd Howell, and their children: Ashley Scarborough (Logan) of Polkton, NC; Christopher "Bucky" Cummings (Sarah) of Hamlet, NC; Taylor Tarlton (Tyler) of Monroe, NC; Nicholas Cummings of Peachland, NC; Brandon Howell of Norwood, NC; and Brandi Talbert (Wesley) of Troy, NC. Her greatest joy was being "Nana" to her grandchildren: Rivers Scarborough, Craven Scarborough, Ryder Cummings, Walker Cummings, Kaya Lowery, Bella Tarlton, Hailey Cummings, Tryston Cummings, and Lily Dawkins.

Jacki was preceded in death by her parents, Ed and Mickey Rivers, her brother, Ed Rivers, Jr., and her niece, Hilary Babu. She is also survived by her sisters, Deana Napier (Michael) of Polkton, NC, and Sammi Williams (Kenny) of Norwood, NC; her parents-in-law Ken and Sue Howell of Norwood, NC; her sisters-in-law, Linda Rivers of Mt. Gilead, NC, and Angie McSwain (Barry) of Norwood, NC; her brother-in-law, Kurt Howell of Norwood, NC; along with her beloved nieces, nephews, and friends that were like family.

Jacki faced her illness with courage and determination, fighting bravely through every challenge. The family is deeply grateful to Duke Cancer Institute for their compassionate care and for giving Jacki hope during her most difficult times. In honor of her life and in keeping with her wishes, memorials may be made to cancer research, specifically to the Duke Cancer Institute Development Office, 300 W Morgan Street, Suite 1000, Durham, NC 27701; and The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center (designated to adrenal cancer research), P.O. Box 4486, Houston, Texas 77210.

A service to celebrate Jacki's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 4, 2025, in the fellowship hall at Hamer Creek Baptist Church, Highway 109, Mt. Gilead, NC. Friends are invited to join the family for a reception immediately following the service. Arrangements are entrusted to Edwards Funeral Homes, and online condolences may be shared at www.edwardsfuneralhomes.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to https://www.dukecancerinstitute.org/give-duke-cancer-institute and https://gifts.mdanderson.org