Dr. Irene Howell, died on March 3, 2018 at the age of 89. Born in Lenoir County, she was the daughter of the late Burchard Taft Smith and Addie Heath Smith. Married in 1943 to Gordon Reece Howell, Jr.

The birth of her first grandchild with profound developmental disabilities began the life altering situations that resulted in Dr. Howell founding Howell's Child Care Centers, which included centers in Goldsboro, LaGrange, Greenville, Greensboro, Thomasville, Charlotte, and New Bern, NC.

Dr. Irene Howell is survived by her husband of 74 years, Gordon Reece Howell, Jr., Children: Gail Howell Sims, PHD, of LaGrange, Jerald Taft Howell, CDP - Spouse Susan of Goldsboro, Joseph Allan Howell, PHD of Kinston, Valentine Howell-Melton, BSN, Spouse Larry of Greenville and David Reece Howell, DJP of Newport.

Grand children: Braxton Reeves of LaGrange, Fuller Reeves IV spouse Nici of Midlothian, VA, Adriane Reeves-Burke spouse Teresa of Stokesdale, Jody Howell spouse Daniele of Kinston, Morgan Howell of Greensboro, Jessika Howell of Kinston, Kamryn and Jolan Howell of Riverside, CA, Ashley Gray spouse Rachel of LaGrange, Lindsey Walkoviak spouse Randal of Greenville, Keely Gray of Greenville.

Great Grand Children: Chelsea Huggins, Conner Burkett, Justice Reeves-Burke, Fuller Reeves V, Braxton Reeves, Riley Reeves, Jacob Reeves, Jerrin Howell, Nathan Howell. Lucy Gray, Oliver Gray

Great Great Grand Children: Quintin Huggins, Jaxon Huggins.

Her Life Celebration will be at Westminster Methodist Church in Kinston, NC at 2:00 PM Saturday, March 10th. Rev. Tom Newman will be officiating with Rev Ray Teague assisting. The family will receive condolences immediately after the service and other times at the home.

The Family requests that memorial gifts be directed to LCC Foundation, Irene Smith Howell Memorial Fund, PO Box 188, Kinston, NC 28502 or Westminster United Methodist Church Irene S. Howell Fund, 1001 Westminster Lane, Kinston, NC, 28501

Shumate-Faulk Funeral Home is serving the Howell family and online condolences may be directed to www.shumate-faulk.com

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charlotte Observer on Mar. 8, 2018.

Memories and Condolences
for irene Howell

15 Entries

Al Webb

August 25, 2023

As a young man i never comprehended or appreciated all Irene Howell , Gail and her family gave to Sean and his needs . I am in awe of all her accomplishments over the years and how much she did for so many others. She was a guardian angel to so many. Seans dad , Al Webb

Rhonda Gardner Dixon

March 23, 2021

Condolence to the Howell family. I remember the first time I meet Mrs. Howell elegant and was kind, spoke to everyone she saw. I work there at the Riverbend facility from 96 til 98. Got pregnant and she told me I was cute pregnant. I will never forget the love she gave to the kids and adults there. God has another angel.

Alana Zambone

March 1, 2020

Dr. Howells legacy lives on and at ECU faculty, teachers-in-training, and our school, agency, and family partners continue to benefit from and celebrate her through the Irene Howell Assistive Technology Center in the College of Education. Mr. Howell, may you find some small comfort in the joy the IHAT Center brings to children, youth and their families with special needs.

September 2, 2018

I knew Dr. Howell several years ago when I worked as a counselor at Howells Child Care Center in LaGrange in the 1970's. Irene Howell was innovative and dynamic as a leader. I remember how she adored her Grandson and talked lovingly about his smile.

April 6, 2018

My condolences to the Family. May God sustain and comfort you, during this time of sadness. Hosea 13:14

March 20, 2018

With Deepest Sympathy To The Family.

Dana King

March 10, 2018

Keely I'm so sorry for your loss. Over the last several months, while visiting your grandmother and granddaddy, I saw the love and appreciation your grandparents have for you. A young lady at your age, to put her life on hold, was a blessing to them. My prayers are with you, your mom and your granddaddy. Love you sweet lady!!!

Drucilla & Adrienne Johnson

March 10, 2018

My family and I send our love and prayers to you Mr. Howell and all your family. We are so sorry for your loss. We have happy memories of you and Mrs. Howell at our picnics and special events at RHA Riverbend. We will always remember her dedication to special needs children. God bless you and your dear family.

Edward Opphile

March 10, 2018

Dr. Howell was a grand lady and always a pleasure to talk to. She will be missed by all those she met. We cannot do justice to the praise she deserves.

Dr Todd Barwick and family

March 9, 2018

With the exception of my family, I can think of no one else who has had such a tremendous impact on my life and career. I have a great deal of respect for the life of Dr. Irene Howell. Thoughts and prayers with the family. She was an inspiration to me. Rest in peace..

Edmund DiStefano, Jr.

March 9, 2018

It is with our deepest sympathy that we learned of Irene's passing. We are sending our prayers and love to the family. Irene was gracious and helpful to our family. Our mother, Grace DiStefano often spoke kindly of Irene and always wanted to visit with her when she was in the area. Blessings from the DiStefano Family

Dianne Holland

March 8, 2018

Mrs. Howell was one of the finest ladies I have ever known. I loved her very much, my Son was at the Walnut Creek Facility from 1980 - 2010. She was an absolute angel, she will be dearly missed. The family is in my thoughts and prayers. So sorry for your loss, God has taken another angel home.

Alana Zambone

March 8, 2018

Dear Mr. Howell and Family,

I am so sorry to learn of the passing of Ms. Irene Howell. She was such a delightful person and such an accomplished woman that I was honored to get to know her a bit and to know her wonderful work as well. I'm so sorry that I will be traveling and unable to attend her celebration of life on Saturday but please know that my thoughts and heart are with you and your family! I know that the world is left with a hole by her passing and so are all of us who had the pleasure of seeing her efforts and learning from her on behalf of children and adults with disabilities and their families.

Your neighbor...

March 8, 2018

Our sincere condolences to the Howell family in the loss of your dear love one. Our prayers are as yours, that God provide his care and comfort you each day.
- Psalms 145:18,19

March 7, 2018

Kind thoughts are with the family at this very difficult time of grief. May your fond memories bring you comfort. God's promise at Jeremiah 29:11,12 will give you strength.

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