Bonnie Howie

Bonnie Quay Howie, a lifelong resident of Harrisburg, NC passed away on October 11, 2026 at the age of 99. Born on April 27, 1927, the eldest child of Henry Corum Quay and Margaret Harris Quay. She was preceded in death by her parents, her beloved husband James Gourley Howie and her two siblings, Henry Corum Quay Jr. (Sue Quay) and Margaret Ann Quay Gardner (Walter Gardner). Also, her cherished grandson Jonathan Howie Auten whom she loved dearly and helped to care for over many years. 

Bonnie grew up in the tight-knit community of Harrisburg, attending Harrisburg School for all twelve years. She pursued higher education at Lenior Rhyne College and Brevard Junior College before graduating from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1949 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism.

In 1952, Bonnie married James Gourley Howie of Harrisburg at a ceremony at Harrisburg Presbyterian Church. They would have three children, Leslie Jane Howie McCorkle (Gary) of Oak Island NC, Anna Kathryn Howie Radford (Dwight) of Matthews NC and Bonnie Cornelia Howie Auten (Alan) of Harrisburg. She has two grandchildren, Jonathan Howie Auten (deceased) of Harrisburg and Evan Reid McCorkle (Kestrel) of Cary, NC. She also has four great grandchildren, Orrin Fox McCorkle, Angus Bram McCorkle, Oona Rose McCorkle and Daphne Wren McCorkle, all of Cary, NC. 

Bonnie worked raising three children on the Quay Dairy Farm in Harrisburg and later at Palmers Optometrist Office in Charlotte. She loved to do cross stitch and having a large garden with fresh vegetables and flowers. She was an avid reader, often reading the Charlotte Observer and Concord Tribune page by page. She loved history and keeping up with current affairs. She loved displaying fresh flowers in her house. She was good cook and insisted that the family get together every Sunday afternoon for lunch, often serving food from the garden.

Bonnie was a lifetime member of the Harrisburg Presbyterian Church, served faithfully as a Deacon, Chairman of the Social Committee, and honored as a Lifetime Member of the Presbyterian Women of the Church. She could often be seen cooking for gatherings and serving food at weddings, deaths, and church celebrations.

The funeral service will be held at Harrisburg Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 18th at 2pm. The family will receive friends in the Sanctuary prior to the funeral service at 1pm. Following the service she will be laid to rest alongside of her loved ones in the Church Cemetery on Highway 49 and Morehead Road.

Pallbearers:Jesse Cofer
Bob Stratton
Chelsea Blume McGowan
Kathy Stratton
Grier Harris
Daniel Stafford

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in her honor to the Harrisburg Presbyterian Church. For specific service dates, times and to leave online condolences please visit the Hartsell Funeral Homes website.

A special thank you to Novant Health Hospice and Palliative Care for the loving care they provided to our mother.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Howie Family.