Our Story

Meet [LEO]nard & Kay [LITTLE] Howell, or better known to us as Nana & Papaw. Happily married in 1956, for 61 years. Leonard, one of five children & a veteran of the US Air Force, retired from Belk Corporate. Kay, one of seven children, retired from Unisys. Both loved to travel and lived in Tampa, Florida for a limited amount of time before making their lifelong home in Locust, NC. A loving mother and father to two girls - our mom, Mandi, and our aunt, Beth. Both heavily involved in the local community throughout including being active members of Carolina Presbyterian Church where my Nana enjoyed playing the organ, serving together in the Locust Lions Club, and volunteering with Meals on Wheels. Leonard also served on the Locust City Council for a number of years while Kay was an active member of the Red Hat Society for quite some time. Leonard & Kay enjoyed traveling together and enjoyed their home away from home on the mountain tops to the the coast.

Papaw, an avid golfer & chocolate chip cookie lover enjoyed checking the stock market daily while Nana enjoyed shopping, sitting by the pool, and meeting new people - like on another level - the woman has never met a stranger. Nana & Papaw we’re never far away during our upbringing. In fact, they lived two houses down from our childhood home - and to this day, food at Nana’s & Papaw’s still taste better - y’all know what I mean?! I don’t think they ever missed any of life's big moments growing up. They painted a picture of life & love.

Papaw Leonard, at the early age of 83 went to home to Jesus in March of 2017. Although our hearts were completely shattered - we are convinced he handpicked these three little ones to fill that big hole - we like to call our “Little Leo’s”.

Post retirement, Kay & Leonard began their own journey and opened up “Gifts & Wraps Unltd”.( we are currently looking for memorabilia from their shop). We look forward to rectifying this adventure and carrying on their legacy.