Harry Walter Howell

Harry Walter Howell, age 89, died at his Rocky Mount home Thursday night, September 1, 2016. Harry was a native of Hillsborough County, Florida and grew up on a small farm near Plant City. He served in the U.S. army infantry from age 18 to 20. His assignment was helping guard the Panama Canal. He then attended the University of Florida at Gainesville and earned a bachelor of science degree in chemistry with two years being paid by the G.I. bill. In Gainesville, he worked in a cabinet-making shop and owed no college loan when he graduated. Harry was the second son of Aaron Howell and Opal Davis Howell. He had three brothers: Thomas Davis Howell, James Richard Howell, and Robert Aaron Howell. Only Robert (wife Rose Marie Pratt Howell) of Lee, Florida survives. Harry, the chemist, met Daisy Strange, the high school teacher, at a Wayne County High School Halloween carnival in Jesup, Georgia where both were working in 1954. They married in August, 1955. Their son David Howell, was born in 1958. David died of flu in Jacksonville, N.C. in the winter of 2005. In 1968 Harry left McGaw Pharmaceuticals in Milledgeville, GA to become chemistry laboratory supervisor at the new Abbott Labs plant in Rocky Mount, N.C. He later served as manager of quality assurance and as quality engineer. He loved Rocky Mount. He took great interest in Nash Community College and served as a trustee there for sixteen years. He was extremely proud of Nash Hospital and told everybody of its merits. He found great friends and fellowship at Lakeside Baptist Church. A Service of Worship celebrating Harry's life will be held on Wednesday, September 7, 2016 at 11:00 AM at Lakeside Baptist Church, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, with Dr. Jody Wright officiating. Visitation will follow service in the Sugg Foyer of the Kinchloe Building. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Harry & Daisy Howell Endowment Scholarship, Nash Community College, P. O. Box 7488, Rocky Mount, NC 27804 or Lakeside Baptist Benevolence Fund, 1501 Sunset Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. Arrangements entrusted to Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 1130 N. Winstead Avenue, Rocky Mount, NC 27804. You may share memories and condolences with the family by visiting www.wheelerwoodlief.com. Visitation Lakeside Baptist Church Sugg Foyer of the Kincheloe Building 1501 Sunset Avemue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 Wednesday 9/7, 12:00 pm Service Lakeside Baptist Church 1501 Sunset Avenue Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-446-0126 --> | Wednesday 9/7, 11:00 am