Edessa Howlett

Edessa Louise Hollars Howlett of Bowling Green, KY died at Hospice of Southern Kentucky on December 3, 2025. Edessa was born in Simpson County, KY on January 31, 1942 to Walter and Mary Hollars. At a young age, she went to live with Joe and Edessa Thurmond of Franklin, KY and later in life was adopted by Edessa Thurmond. After graduating from Western Kentucky State College in 1964, Edessa taught Home Economics for several years at Franklin Simpson High School and Floyd County High in New Albany, IN. Her greatest calling, however, was creating a warm and welcoming home for her family and for the many friends who gathered there over the years. She embraced this role wholeheartedly, often referring to herself with pride as a "Domestic Engineer." She enjoyed serving and worshipping Jesus throughout her life, most recently at Eastwood Baptist in Bowling Green.
Edessa and her husband of nearly 59 years, Larry, raised two daughters together. She was "Dede" to five grandchildren and two great-grandsons, all of whom brought her tremendous joy. She will be dearly missed by her family and by the many friends whose lives she touched.
Edessa was preceded in death by her husband, Larry, and by a precious grandson, Robert Coughlin. She is survived by daughters Tina (Jeff) Carter and Laura (Kent) Coughlin; grandchildren Will Parker (Megan) Carter, John Carter, Addison (Jake) Cooley, and Cooper Coughlin; and great-grandsons, Lincoln and Roman Carter.
Visitation with the family will be held Friday, Dec 12 from 4-7 at J.C.Kirby & Son Funeral Chapel 820 Lovers Lane, Bowling Green, KY. A private graveside service on Saturday afternoon in Auburn, KY.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Hospice of Southern Kentucky (https://hospicesoky.org/in-memory-of/) or Daystar Counseling Ministries - General Donation (https://www.daystarcounseling.com/).