Ann Trimble Howze

1929 - 2025

Ann Trimble Howze

June 24, 1929 -

December 7, 2025

Ann Trimble Howze, age 96, died on December 7, 2025, after a fall and brief hospitalization. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas and Emily Trimble; 4 sisters, Edna Martin Holland, Blanche Chandler, Hazel Guthrie, and Faye Ramsey; 1 brother, Thomas Trimble, Jr.; 1 son-in-law, Troy "Rusty" Starnes; and 2 granddaughters, Kayla Ann Howze and Lori Ann Starnes.

The sixth of eight children, she was raised in the Allenstand community near the Laurel River in Madison County, NC. Upon graduation from White Rock School, she attended ETSC 1944-48, earning a B.A. in Education. After graduation she became engaged to Ben Howze of Erwin, TN; their 65-year marriage began the following year on July 10, 1949; they soon settled in Erwin.

In 1955 the couple with their 3 young children moved to South Haven, MI, where both were employed as teachers. In 1958 they taught for a year at Bradenton Junior College in Bradenton, FL, before moving to Wayne, MI, where Ann taught while Ben attended the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The family moved back to Erwin for good in 1962. Ann found employment as a French teacher at Science Hill HS in Johnson City, TN, where she worked until her retirement. She led the language department there in modernizing the teaching of foreign languages, introducing the use of recordings and films, emphasizing conversation skills and cultural appreciation. She led numerous student excursions to France and other European destinations. During those years she also completed her M.A. at ETSU and received certification as a Tennessee Master Teacher. After retirement, she studied photography, learning to develop her own photos. She and Ben became charter members of the ICL, the first organization created to sponsor post-retirement learning at ETSU. The couple joined a rock club and studied jewelry-making, at which she became quite adept. They traveled to various National Parks. In later years, Ann joined the Parnassus Book Club in Erwin, TN, and also became an amateur poet. She had a lifelong love of nature--wild flowers, butterflies, and seashells especially--which she lovingly nurtured in her children and grandchildren. She was a faithful member of the Erwin Presby-terian Church and served as an Elder; her strong faith was a vital part of her life.

She took great joy in children, and is survived by daughters Karen Loughmiller and husband Joe, Christine Molder and husband John, and Elizabeth Starnes; sons Kelly Howze, John Howze and wife Shawna, and Martin Howze and wife Emily; 2 brothers, Howard Trimble and Dean Trimble; 15 grand-children: Emily Rivenbark, Julia Rusk, Joseph Loughmiller, Jason Howze, Katie Edwards, Brittany Frost, Leah Howze, Nicholas Howze, Logan Howze, Madeline Howze, Bonnie Starnes, Natalie Fox, Ashley Kiernan, Daisy Carathers, and Noah Starnes; and special friends, Nellie Pate, Keith Whitson, and Gail Hood. She is also survived by 20 great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Erwin Presbyterian Church at 10:00 AM on Saturday, December 20, 2025. Following the service, the family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a private graveside service at 12:30 PM at Evergreen Cemetery in Erwin.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Erwin Presbyterian Church, 105 Elm Ave., Erwin, TN 37650, or to Second Harvest Food Bank of Northeast Tennessee, 1020 Jericho Drive, Kingsport, TN 37663

Condolences and memories may be shared with the family and viewed at www.valleyfuneralhome.net or on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/ValleyFuneralHomeErwin. These arrangements are made especially for the family and friends of Bryce Nelson Kerns through Valley Funeral Home, 1085 N Main Ave., Erwin, TN. 37650. (423)743-9187.