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Ruth Bennett Howell

August 4, 1925 ~ September 17, 2012

Ruth Fentriss Bennett Howell, age 87, died on Monday, September 17, 2012. She was born on August 4, 1925, the fifth of nine children to Norman Smith Bennett and Ruth Cecelia Dawson Bennett in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She lived her entire life in Rocky Mount. She graduated from Rocky Mount Senior High School and attended Sacred Heart College. Ruth married Lonnie Henry Howell, Jr. on April 17, 1948 in a triple wedding with her sisters Huldah Marie and Anne Elizabeth. Prior to Lonnie's death, they celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary in April of 2008. Ruth was a member of Our Lady Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Rocky Mount since her birth. She worked side-by-side with her beloved husband in the family business for several years after her children were grown. In her later years, she belonged to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Micajah Pettaway Chapter and the Twentieth Century Study Club. Her primary focus was raising her eight children and was an ever-present force in all their lives. She is survived by her eight children Jane Gray Howell, Ruth Howell Vandiford and Anna Howell Barefoot (husband Roger) all of Greenville, N.C., Lawrence (Larry) Henry Howell, III (wife Sherry) of Knightdale, N.C., Joseph (Joe) Thomas Howell (wife Laura) of Clayton, N.C., Christopher (Chris) Dawson Howell (wife Chris) of Rocky Mount, N.C., Stephen Francis Howell (wife Katie) of Pass Christian, Miss., and John Anthony Howell (wife Mary Anne) of Walstonburg, N.C. She is also survived by fourteen grandchildren, Michael Lawrence Vandiford, Allison Howell Hopkins (husband Greg), Adam Lawrence Howell (wife Rhonda), Gregory Ross Howell, Clark Harrison Howell, Philip Howell Barefoot, Anna Taylor Howell, Joseph Bennett Howell, Caroline Elizabeth Howell, Meredith Ashley Howell, Anna Ruth Howell, Brittany James Howell, Grayson Marie Howell and John Tomlinson Howell, as well as three great-grandchildren Angela Auston Hopkins, Parker Howell Hopkins and Luke Henry Howell. Ruth's only surviving sibling is Joseph Evans Bennett of Purcellville, Va. The family will receive visitors at Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home on Friday evening, September 21 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. with recitation of the rosary to follow. The funeral mass will be held on Saturday, September 22 at 11:00 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Catholic Church in Rocky Mount, N.C. with graveside services to follow at Rocky Mount Memorial Park . In lieu of flowers, the family would like to recommend contributions to Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parochial School. You may mail your donation to 315 Hammond Street, Rocky Mount NC 27804 or visit www.olphrm.com. Arrangements by Wheeler and Woodlief Funeral Home; 1130 N. Winstead Ave., Rocky Mount, N.C. On-line condolences to the Howell family may be made by visiting www.wheelerandwoodlief.com. Visitation Wheeler & Woodlief Funeral Home & Cremation Services 1130 N. Winstead Ave. Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-451-8800 --> | Friday 9/21, 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Service Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church 331 Hammond Street Rocky Mount, NC 27804 ID ) ); ?>"> --> 252-972-0452 --> | Saturday 9/22, 11:00 am Cemetery Rocky Mount Memorial Park 4454 Dortches Blvd., Hwy 43 Rocky Mount, NC 27804

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  1. I only met Mrs. Howell a couple of times, but found her to be a very gracious and lovely lady. You have our sincerest sympathy. Don and Ginger Crocker

  2. I am praying for the love and comfort of our Lord Jesus Christ to be with your family during this time. Even though we miss our loved ones, their Heaenly home is a better place to be and what we seek in our life. Pat Roberson

  3. To the Howell family….you are on our hearts and in our prayers. May you feel God’s Love and Comfort. In Sympathy…Dick and Lea Cutler

  4. To the Howell family, our thoughts and prayers go out to all of you as all our memories of your family are great ones! God Bless! Steve and Mary Cederberg

  5. My heart goes out to the HowellBennett families. We grew up near each other, the Bennetts and I, (them on Grace, me on Western). And I especially have fond memories of the weekend we all spent together up at Blowing Rock…Huldah, Alex, Ruth, Lonnie, Pirkey and I. What a long time ago that was, how young we were! Know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers Too Henderson (Pirkey) Wilson

  6. Larry, Sherry and Family, we are so sorry to hear about your mom. What a wonderful life she has lead. We are going to be out of town so we will not be able to come to visitation or the funeral. You will be in our thoughts and prayers. Greg, Nancy and the children Nelson

  7. Ruthie and the entire Howell family – know that my thoughtts and prayers will be with you during these difficult times. Tommy Felton

  8. Ruthie, Janie, and my family…we loved your mother very much. she will never be forgotten. if you need anything never hesitate to ask. Much Love, Caroline and Michael


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