Earlene Spann Howell

Earlene S. (Mrs. Ralph) Howell went home to be with the Lord on March 19, 2012.  She was 96. She was a woman of devout Christian faith, who served humbly and gave thanks to Jesus Christ.  She was a devoted wife, mother and friend who loved Christ, and served Him by teaching the Word, witnessing, and praying for others.  She was often called a prayer warrior. Even though in the last few months she struggled with dementia, she never wavered in her faith.  When she talked about spiritual things and when she prayed, she was never confused. From 1958 to 1978 (while Ralph was employed by Arnold Engineering in Tullahoma, Tennessee), they were members of Decherd First Baptist Church and Decherd First Baptist mission church Payne's Baptist Church where Ralph was a deacon and taught Bible to young married couples and Earlene taught Bible and worked with the teens in the church. When Ralph retired in 1978, they moved back to Trion, Georgia, and became members of Pennville First Baptist Church where they both were active in teaching the Word and witnessing for their Lord. A true Southern lady, Earlene radiated love, grace and kindness but also had a quiet strength of will.  Earlene worked at The Big Friendly Department Store as salesperson and then manager of the Ladies Department for approximately five years (1947-1952).  She was a taleneted seamstress and designed and made clothing for herself and her family.  She had a passion for gardening and interior decorating. Earlene Howell was born in Winfield, Alabama on April 4, 1915 to James W. and Lula Bell Corkren Spann. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband for 61 years, H. Ralph Howell, on November 26, 1994, her parents, and several brothers and sisters. She is survived by her daughter, Helen and husband, Joseph E. "Bo" Loggins of Summerville, Georgia; sister, Betty Littlejohn of LaFayette, Georgia; and brother, Joe and wife Bernice Spann of Memphis, Tennessee. Mrs. Howell's family gives special thanks to caregivers Janice Dowdy and Vickie Darnell for their devotion, gentle care, loving compassion, and friendship. The family also wants to give special thanks to her pastor, Billy Dempsey, for his weekly visits and prayers, and express deep appreciation to Earlene's dear friends for their many visits. Funeral services will be 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 at Pennville First Baptist Church with Pastor Billy Dempsey and Dr. Paul Mason officiating.  The family will receive friends at the Church one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow at West Hill Cemetery, Trion, Georgia. Active Pallbearers will be:  Rex Evans, Buddy Evans, Charles Duke, John Shankles, Dennis Bryant, and Charles Littlejohn.  Honorary Pallbearers will be:  Ladies #2 Sunday School class of Pennville First Baptist Church, Mrs. Lois Bearden, Mrs. Shirley Smith, Dr. Jim Ware, and Paul Chiou. Memorial contributions may be made to Pennville First Baptist Church, 77 Moore Street, Summerville, GA  30747 Arrangements are by Erwin-Petitt Funeral Home, Summerville, Georgia.