Sammy Gene Howell

Sammy "George" Gene Howell, 71, of Purdy, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, at Shiloh Nursing and Rehab in Springdale, after a courageous 15-year journey with Alzheimer's. He was born Sunday, August 8, 1954, at Huntsville; to Willie Bea and Masel Marie Pharris Howell. Sammy and his wife, Connie, had known each other all their lives, growing up side by side. On Friday, August 12, 1977, Sammy and Connie were married in Kingston, and together they were blessed with two children, Jennifer and Jessica. Sammy accepted the Lord as his personal savior in 1976 and in the 1980s, Sammy was formally baptized and became a member of the Kingston First Southern Baptist Church. He worked for the Kingston Sawmill, spent many years with the Arkansas State Department of Transportation, and later found great joy in his final employment at H & M Sales, where he was grateful to work for such wonderful people, J.D. and Jeanette Hawthorn. After the passing of his father-in-law, Sammy made it a priority to leave for work early each morning so he could share coffee with his mother-in-law. He lovingly cared for both of his parents until the end of their lives. Sammy enjoyed farming and raising Black Angus cattle, and he especially loved his family, often referring to his girls as his "two beautiful daughters." Farming was not just his work, it was his life's passion. Sammy could be found at the farm nearly every day, tending to the land and caring for the animals he loved so much. Cattle held a special place in his heart, with Black Angus being his favorite. He also enjoyed raising Charolais and Longhorns, and he even learned to tolerate Herefords that his wife, Connie, loved. You could often find him and his brother Harold Dean cutting and baling hay together every summer, you didn't know what a fun family day looked like until you had to move cows from one field to another together. His dedication to farming and his love for the lifestyle left a lasting mark on his family, friends, and community. Beyond the farm, Sammy had a deep appreciation for the outdoors and, from his years at the sawmill, could identify nearly any tree. He cherished wildlife and found joy in the beauty of nature. If he wasn't farming, he loved watching westerns-so much so that he probably watched Lonesome Dove a hundred times. Sammy was preceded in death by his parents, Willie and Masel Howell; his father-in-law, Curtis Grigg; his sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Paul Yarbrough; two nephews, Jack Yarbrough and Kendall Hunter; and one niece, Michelle Hunter. He is survived by his wife, Connie Howell, of the home; two daughters and sons-in-law, Jennifer and James Snow; of Kingston; and Jessica and MacKenzie Phillips, of Huntsville; and five grandchildren, Ethan Tyler Sprinkle, Sara Elizabeth Sprinkle, Emma Grace Sprinkle, Jetson Mack Samuel Phillips, and Jaxie MacKrae Lucille Phillips. He is also survived by one brother and two sisters-in-law, Harold and Janice Howell, and Marie Gramlich; his mother-in-law, Donnie Jean Grigg, and many nieces, nephews, and friends. The family will receive friends 5:00 PM-7:00 PM, Monday, September 29, 2025, at Brashears Funeral Home. Funeral services will be 10:00 AM, Tuesday, September 30, 2025, at Brashears Funeral Home with Nick Hartness and Bo Bailey officiating. Pallbearers will be MacKenzie Phillips, Donny Kee, Kendall Hasty, Shannon Howell, Corey Howell, and Kevin Hasty. Honorary pallbearers will be Brother Doyle Root, Charles Willis, Sharon Anderson, Joan Grigg, Charlinda Reeves, Dustin Davidson, and the late Bud Cline. Interment will immediately follow services at Big Sandy Cemetery. Services are entrusted to Brashears Funeral Home and Crematory of Huntsville.