Virgil R. Howell

Bro. Howell passed away Saturday afternoon at the Jackson-Madison County General Hospital.

A native and life-long resident of Hardeman County, he was the son of the late Willie Everett and Lillie Gertrude Sisco Howell. On December 31, 1949, he was united in marriage to the former Mary DeLois Rogers, to whom he was married for over 65 years.

Bro. Howell was a Baptist minister for many years, having pastored at Mt. Olive, Butler's Chapel, Chapel Hill and Lone Oak. He also served in an interim capacity at Essary Springs and Enon. Presently, he had been a member of the Brint's Chapel Baptist Church. He enjoyed farming and working with cattle. In addition to his ministerial duties, he worked at Reichold Chemical for 10 year and was a school bus driver for 19 years. Bro. Howell was also co-founder, in 1986, of Middleton Care Center.

He leaves his wife, DeLois Howell of Middleton; his daughter, Maxine (Wayne) Thomas of Middleton; his son, Calvin (Brenda) Howell of Bolivar; four brothers, William, Orville, Frankie and Jackie Howell; his sister, Linda Webb; six grandchildren, Gary (Jennifer) Howell, Renee' (Bill) Russell, Chad (Stephanie) Massey, Lisa Hampton, Jason (Ashlee) Howell and Tiffany (Chris) Gray; 17 great-grandchildren, Joseph Howell, Ashley (Brian) Keller, Matthew Howell, Kirstann Howell, Jessica Howell, Alyssa Walker, Haley Walker, Eric Hampton, Carson Howell, Ian Hampton, Collier Howell, Karleigh Shields, Valerie, Natalie and Tessa Massey and Easton and Oaklee Gray; one great-great-grandchild, Zaiden Howell; and son-in-law, Steve Pulse.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by 3 sisters, Sadie Mae, Lillie Fay and Dorothy Howell; and 3 brothers, Billy Joe, Leon and James Howell.

Memorials may be sent to Gideons International (http://www.gideons.org/howyoucanhelp/give.aspx)