Howard Lee Elmore, Sr., AKA “Free” entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 03, 2026 at his residence following a lengthy illness. He was born on October 17, 1949 to the late Della Elmore and Charlie Bailey in Folkston, Ga. He was educated in Bethune School System in Charlton County. Howard attended Mt. New Home Missionary Baptist Church. He was employed with Kings Bay Naval Base as a truck driver and at Winn Dixie in their logistics department where he retired after 20 plus years.

In his spare time, he enjoyed fishing, hunting, grilling and spending time with his family. He was always a happy person and didn’t mind taking time out to help and care for others. He never met a stranger, and everyone was glad to see him. He will forever be remembered for the upstanding guy that he was.

Howard was preceded in death by both parents, Della Elmore and Charlie Bailey and two brothers, Jimmy and Tommy Elmore.

Those left to cherish his memories: his children, Jamie Elmore (Keshia), Callahan, Fl., Kevin Thomas (Brenda), Brunswick, Ga. Fredrick Taylor( Nicole), Folkston, Ga., Howard Elmore, Jr. (Crystal), Brunswick, Ga., Marquis Elmore (Tovan), Loganville, Ga., Levar Atwater and Amber Elmore, both of Folkston, Ga.; his sisters, Gloria Baker, Vera Bridges, Charlene Bailey and Loretta Bailey, all of Folkston, Ga.; his brothers, James Thomas and Terry Bailey, both of Folkston, Ga.; his grandchildren, Jamie and Jaiden Elmore, Quinshay Thomas, Jacob Thomas, K’lyn Thomas, Kevin Thomas, Jr., Taiven, Tyler and Traven Taylor, Donta, Lekira and Demonta Elmore, Anthony White, Tyrese, Madisson, Landon, Delavyn and Brock Elmore, Tray Harris, Levar Atwater, Tyrique Wilbert, Jade Garard, Antonio Hopkins, Keila Dasher, Tavaris and Amir Elmore, Ka’miah and Hailey George; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

There will not be a wake/visitation on Thursday.

Remains will lie in state an hour prior to services on Friday at the church.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 09, 2026 @ 12 Noon at Mt New Home Missionary Baptist Church, 416 Dixie Lake Road, Folkston, Ga.

Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Memorial Cemetery, Folkston, Ga.

* Services will be live streamed thru our website: royalfuneralhome.com

*We encourage everyone wishing to view the live stream at a later date to save it on their personal devices within the 30-day time frame of the service as it will be deleted and we will not be able to retrieve it after the (30) daytime period.