Charles M. Howell

HOWELL WINSTON-SALEM - Charles M. Howell, M.D., 94, expired Saturday, November 8, 2008. Charles was born on April 14, 1914 in Thomasville, NC, one of twin boys, who were the first children of May and Cyrus Howell. As a boy he worked in a soda shop and delivered newspapers to earn money for college. He went to Wake Forest University, which was then located in the town of Wake Forest. It was there that he began his medical education, at Wake Forest' s two-year program, which later became the Bowman Gray School of Medicine. At the end of the two-year program, he transferred to the Medical School of the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his medical degree. With World War II raging, Charlie joined the United States Air Force as a flight surgeon. His military service took him from Georgia to the Far East, including Okinawa and China, and he attained the rank of Major. After his discharge he took a position as school physician at the Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. His next work was as a ship' s doctor with the Moore-McCormack Cruise Line. When he decided it was time to choose a medical specialty, he returned to North Carolina and the Department of Pathology at Bowman Gray School of Medicine. Soon thereafter, he was introduced to Betty Myers. They were married in 1949. Charles completed his medical residency at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital in New York City. He was board certified as a dermatologist and allergist. After returning to North Carolina, he became Chairman of the Department of Dermatology at Bowman Gray, a position he held for 27 years. At an age when most doctors would have retired, he opened a private practice in 1983, and continued to practice into his 90' s. Medicine was the passion and purpose of his life, and he never stopped caring about his patients and keeping up with the advances in his chosen field. But medicine was not his sole focus. He especially loved music, reading and travel. Charles traveled far from his roots in Thomasville, yet he never lost the common touch. He treated everyone he encountered with respect and warmth. He is survived by his wife, Betty; two daughters: Pamela Howell and Beth Howell Fulk and her husband, Mark; and two grandchildren: Elizabeth Baucom Fulk Lincicome and Charles Howell Fulk. A memorial service will be conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 15, at Salem Funeral Home. The family will receive friends at the funeral home after the service. The family wishes that any memorials be made to The Winston-Salem Symphony Unrestricted Fund, 201 N. Broad Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101. Online condolences may be made through www.salemfh.com.