Charles "Charlie" Truman Howell Jr.

Charles Truman Howell, Jr. (Charlie), 81, of Lucedale, Mississippi, passed away peacefully at his home January 13, 2025. Born June 26, 1943, Charlie seemingly started working as soon as he was born. His Mama often talked about putting him on a quilt at the end of the row while she picked cotton. Charlie was a Vocational Agriculture teacher at George County High School, Science teacher at Central Elementary School, welder, woodworker, farmer, son, husband, Daddy, Granddaddy, and Great Granddaddy, all of which he did very well.

He was a strict teacher but cared for his students deeply. He wanted them all to succeed and treated each as if the sky was the limit for them in their chosen profession. As an FFA (Future Farmers of America) advisor he took many students to State FFA convention and inspired others to do “more” outside their classroom studies. Charlie was a friend to many. He was a generous man, giving of his time and sharing his insight on how to get things done to whoever needed his expertise. He was only a phone call away for someone whose vehicle was broken down on the side of the road or a friend who had a burst pipe in the middle of the night, often coming with supplies in hand. Charlie loved his community like family and served it in many ways. Through the years he served on the Refuge Church Board of Trustees, Building Committee, Cemetery Committee, and as a Sunday School teacher. He mowed grass, fixed things around the church, and helped with many fundraisers, cooking fish, grilling steaks or doing whatever needed to be done. He was a volunteer fireman in the Central Community. He was instrumental in getting the first fire truck and building the original fire house. He served on the George County Hospital Board of Trustees and on the local Farm Bureau Board of Directors. He helped get the local Farm Bureau office built, even helping waterproof and paint the outside of the building. Charlie served as chairman of the George County Soil and Water Conservation District. He also worked intermittently with USDA Farm Services Agency assessing crop damage. Charlie was George County High School Band Booster President for one year in the mid-80s. In the early 90s he was initiated as an associate member of Farmhouse Fraternity by the Mississippi State University active chapter. He was a member of MAVAT (Mississippi Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers) and NVATA (National Vocational Agricultural Teachers Association) where he worked to further the causes of Vocational Agriculture in the classroom and beyond. Charlie was a hardworking man who will be missed by many.

Left to cherish his memory are his daughter Amye (Richard) Turner of Arab, AL, son Charles Truman Howell, III (Chad) Howell of Lucedale, MS, son Brett Howell of Lucedale, MS, granddaughter Emily Turner (Dr. Christopher McGee) of Anchorage, AK, granddaughter Macy Howell Johnson (Hunter) of Lucedale, MS, grandson Hayden Turner of Arab, AL, grandson Carson Howell of Lucedale, MS, great granddaughter Haisley Johnson of Lucedale, MS, sisters Dona (Rodger) Foshee, Oxford, MS, Evelyn (Gary) Christy of Bushnell, Fl, Janet (Glenn) Cochran, Lucedale, MS, Cheryl (Larry) Williamson, Lucedale, MS, Alice (Greg) Deakle, Tupelo, MS, many nieces, nephews and friends.

He is preceded in death by his loving wife of 56 years Faith Johnson Howell, his father Charles Truman Howell, Sr. (Buster), mother, Ardona Grace Moore Howell, brother, John Willam Howell and sister-in-law Nell Howell.

The Visitation will be held from 6:00 pm until 9:00 p.m., Friday, January 17, 2025, at Moments Funeral Home. The Funeral Service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Refuge Church, Lucedale, MS. Burial will follow at the Refuge Church Cemetery. Pallbearers are Hank Cochran, Jeffery Howell, Russell Moore, Trey Roberts, Hoyt Williamson, and Jeb Williamson. Honorary pallbearers are Danny Clark, Jimmy Glenn Croom, Allen Eubanks, Shane Havard, Herschel Hill, Jamie Holland, Joel Holland, Jeff Howell, Jason Read, Travis Read, Wayne Reeves, Mike Steede, the late Lee Howell and the late Bobby Keiser.

If you wish, you may make a contribution to Refuge Church in memory of Charlie.

Moments Funeral Home, locally owned and operated, is honored to be in charge of arrangements. 

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