Birth Date: 02/22/1949
Deceased Date: 04/05/2024
Joseph “Joe” Dwight Howell, 75, of Smithfield, North Carolina went to be with the Lord on Friday, April 5, 2024 during his stay at the SECU Hospice House in Smithfield, North Carolina.
Joe was born in Johnston County, North Carolina to the late Reverand Roland Everett Howell and Evonia Johnson Howell on February 22, 1949. Joe graduated from North Johnston High School in 1967 and immediately began a lifelong career in the utility construction industry starting at Stackhouse, Inc. that eventually led him to pursue entrepreneurship for twenty-five years.
Joe pastored churches in Virginia from 1979-1981 and after stepping down from the pulpit he continued to serve in their local churches in various capacities. His most recent church membership was held at Tee’s Chapel FWB where he co-led the Adult Sunday School Class.
Joe was passionate about Jesus, family, and sharing God’s love through acts of service and spoken words. He could often be found on his mower helping a neighbor with their lawn, and they knew they could always count on him to be there to help them in their time of need. Joe was a lovingly devoted husband, father, and pa, and played each of his roles with great care. His children and grandchildren bear witness to how deep was his love for Linda and how well he cared for her. He set the bar high for his daughter and granddaughters. He instilled in his children a knowledge of and love for Jesus and a great work ethic which is already being passed down to his grandchildren. He always showed up for his family whether it was phone calls, births, baptisms, birthday parties, plays, sporting events, graduations, or performing weddings for his grandkids he was always there and he will truly be missed.
Joe is preceded in death by one sister, Doris Howell Pate, and three brothers, R.J. Howell, Jerry Howell, and Everett Howell.
Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Linda Evans Howell. He is also survived by his children Tanya Hinnefeld (Mike) and Chris Howell (Shelly); grandchildren, Joe Hinnefeld (Mariah), Seth Howell (Bree), Maddie Hancock (Josh), Justin Hinnefeld, Sidney Howell, Christy Villafrade (Luis), Chloe Howell, Hadassah Howell, Myles Howell; great-grandchildren, Chandler Hancock, Andi Hancock, Roland Howell, Edith Hancock, and Rue Howell; sister, Lola Williford; brothers, Tommy Howell (Ewanda), Roy Lee Howell (Judy), John Howell (Joy).
Visitation will be at 2:00 p.m. and the funeral service will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024 at Tee’s Chapel FWB, 6439 Brogden Rd., Smithfield, NC 27577 with Pastor Dennis Pollock officiating.
The family would like to recognize and thank the Hospice Home Health nurses Erin and Michelle, and SECU Hospice House nurses Melanie and Shelly for the wonderful care and support they gave to Joe and our family.
Flowers are acceptable or a memorial contribution can be made to SECU Hospice House.
Online condolences may be expressed to the family at parrishfh.com
