Ray Howell

It is with great sadness and sorrow that Ray Howell of Newport, VA departed this life in the early hours of July 9, 2025 to go to his heavenly father at the age of 83 after fighting a 6-month battle with congestive heart failure. He was born on June 4, 1942 in Hensley, WV. Ray left Hensley, WV in his teens to go work on a farm in Felton, DE, and an ice cream store in Rehoboth Beach during the summer months. He started attending the Lutheran Church in Dover where he met the love of his life, Carol. They were married on July 16, 1964. They started their family in Dover, DE then moved to Newport, VA in August 1977 where he built their forever homes. Ray honorably served his country for 7 years in the Army National Guard. After his military service, Ray established himself as a respected building contractor. His work ethic and craftsmanship as a self-employed builder were well known within his community. Ray enjoyed working, whether it was on construction projects or in his garden. His love for tinkering with old cars was only matched in the joy he found in family time and with his beloved furry companion, Dusty. Ray's presence was a source of stability and comfort, and hobbies provided many cherished memories for family and friends. Ray is preceded in death by his parents, John Lee Howell, and Alice Hager Howell, and siblings Betty Wimmer (Hobert), and Ralph Owens. Ray leaves behind his devoted siblings Jack Hager, Ron Owens, Faye Cole, Everett Owens, and Frankie Howell. They along with the rest of his family will remember Ray as a pillar of strength and love. Ray is survived by his beloved wife of almost 61 years, Carol Ann Howell, with whom he shared love, laughter, and mutual respect. Together they built a beautiful family, raising their children with the same values of hard work and integrity that Ray embodied. He is survived by his children, Lauren Robinson and her fiancé, Rodney Gallimore, of Radford, VA; Jonathan Howell and his wife Dicy of Newport, VA; Cindy Lang and her husband Chris of Pearisburg, VA; Alison Croy and her husband Keith of Newport, VA; and Tommy Howell and his wife Krista of Newport, VA. Ray is the proud grandfather to Megan Quesenberry, Josh Howell (Whitney), Jon-Jon Howell, Andrew Bales, Sean Croy, Zach Croy, Hayley Howell, and Kinsey Howell. He also delighted in the joys of being a great-grandfather to Ashlynn Wilkes, Matthew Echols, Peyton Howell, and Liam Howell. Ray's love for his family was his guiding light, and his legacy will live on through the lives of his descendants. Many of his closest friends include the families of Rodney and Connie Hudson, Velma Pierce, Brian Graves, David and Helen Heavener, Gene and Annie Seago, David and Sherry Hill, Mike and Joan Belcher and St. Michael Lutheran Church. The family will receive friends at a time of visitation on Friday, July 11, 2025 from 5:00 PM until 8:00 PM in Kendall Funeral Home. A funeral service will be conducted on Saturday, July 12, 2025 at 12:00 PM in St. Michaels Lutheran Church in Blacksburg, Virginia with Reverend James Henricks officiating. Funeral services will be concluded in Birchlawn Burial Park in Pearisburg, Virginia where Military Honors will be presented by the US Army, and American Legion Posts 68, 311, and145. A guestbook is available to send condolences to the family by visiting www.kendallfuneralhome.com. The staff of Kendall Funeral Home is honored to serve the Howell family.