Mrs. Mae Hattie Howell

Mrs. Mae Hattie Howell, who lived in Guntersville for nearly 40 years, passed away on March 3 in Lawrenceville, Georgia at the age of 95.

Mrs. Howell was born on July 2, 1930, to Thomas and Lillie Mae Brown Shackelford in Hope Hull, Alabama, a small community in Montgomery County. She was the eldest and last surviving of eight children born to the Shackelford family.

In her early 20s, Mrs. Howell was a caregiver for disabled children and adults at Pineview Manor in Montgomery.

In 1954, she married the love of her life, Jesse Lee Howell Jr., a Guntersville resident. They spent the next 38 years together, creating a loving home for themselves and five children: Adrienne Yvonne Howell (Brian Smith), Jesse Lee Howell III (Vernita Bailey), Gregory Dean Howell, Sheila Ann Howell Davis (Alfred Davis), and Sean Vincent Howell. Mr. Howell preceded her in death in 1992.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, Mrs. Howell was an avid and prolific gardener, using skills and knowledge she learned from her mother. She could often be found in one of the several bountiful gardens she planted near the family's home in the community formerly known as Meltonsville. Mrs. Howell also enjoyed radio dramas, detective and murder mystery shows, baking, and fishing trips with Mr. Howell.

Mrs. Howell is survived by her five children, as well as five grandchildren: Jesse Lee Howell IV, Christopher Sheldon Howell, Jessica Danielle Davis, Auriel Brianna Howell, and Jasmine Andretta Davis; and three great-grandchildren: Jade Peyton Worley, Journee Taylor Worley, and Kaylyn Rae Howell.

Family and friends are invited to pay their respects at the visitation, which will be held Saturday, March 14, from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. at Carr Funeral Home. A private graveside service, officiated by her daughter Sheila Howell Davis, will follow at Guntersville City Cemetery.

Her family will deeply miss her loving presence in their lives.