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West Plains, MO Location (417) 256-4141

Thayer, MO Location (417) 264-7242

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Vernon Emery Howell was born September 13, 1926, in Koshkonong, Missouri, the eldest son of the late Fred Howell and Ada Stanley Howell. He entered into eternal rest on June 29, 2021, at the age of 94 years, 9 months and 16 days.

He was united in marriage on December 25, 1958, to the love of his life, Lavern (Brazeal) Howell, who preceded him in death on August 2, 2016. They celebrated 57 years of marriage and loved each other with a pure and devoted love. He missed Mama every day after she went on to be with the Lord.

He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Miriam Howell LeGrand; three brothers, Virgil Howell, Van Howell, and Jack Howell; and one sister, Fern Adams.

He is survived by four children: Martha Tuttle, husband Roger, of West Plains; Daniel Howell, wife Tammy, of Thayer; Elisabeth DeShane, husband Kenn, of West Plains; and David Howell, wife Rhonda, of West Plains; six grandchildren: Katelyn Howell; Matt Franks, wife Abby; Chloe Howell; Madelyn DeShane; Dawson Howell; and Caleb DeShane; one sister: Violet Reed; two brothers: Wayne Howell and Paul Howell; many nieces and nephews; former son-in-law, Fred LeGrand; a special friend, Frank Ballard; and a host of loving relatives and friends.

Daddy was a hard-working man and shared memories of working from a very early age; he began plowing behind the horse, using the old-fashioned plows at age five. He helped his Dad and Mom on the farm for many years.

He was drafted into the United States Army during WW II and was stationed at former US Army military base, Fort Presidio, San Francisco, California.

In 1951, he and Mama began a seven year courtship in which Daddy said he wanted to “make sure she loved me.” Mama was patient and laughingly told people that if she hadn’t got him, she’d still be chasing him!

Daddy was a hard worker, who believed in getting up early and starting the day to get things done.  He worked at Koshkonong School in various roles for over 50 years. He served as bus driver, custodian, and maintenance staff and is fondly remembered by his willingness to work hard and do his job with thoroughness and integrity. He was also a logger and spent many hours in the logwoods behind a team of mules. He did various jobs to make a living for his family; cut many a “rank of wood” and picked up walnuts by the hundreds of pounds each year.

The one thing that mattered most to Vernon was his relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. He loved God with a pure and child-like faith. His love for Christ and the Word of God was his driving force, especially in his years of being alone after Lavern’s death. Upon greeting his friends and fellow Christians, he would often ask them, “Do you still love Jesus?” or “Are you still looking for Jesus?” He lived his faith out among people and wanted people to know they were loved by a loving God and by him. He attended church services in many places over the years and loved to worship God in song and hearing the Word of God. He recently celebrated 79 years of knowing Jesus.

Vernon will truly be missed by his family, friends and the community in which he lived.

     The family wishes to express their appreciation to Shady Oaks Nursing Center in Thayer and Three Rivers Hospice Agency for their loving care and assistance for Vernon during the past three months.  He made many friends in his short time there.

Funeral services for Vernon Howell will be held on Friday, July 2, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. at the Carter Funeral Home Chapel in Thayer, Missouri with Brother Junior Andrews and Brother Anthony Woods officiating.

The family will receive friends on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to The Gideons International.  Donations may be left at Carter Funeral Home in Thayer, Missouri.

Burial will be on Friday, July 2, 2021 in Walker Cemetery in Thayer, Missouri with services under the direction of Carter Funeral Home, Inc. in Thayer, Missouri.

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14 Comments

  1. Garry and Darline Tharp
    June 30, 2021 @ 12:57 pm

    Such a wonderful Christian man. So sorry for your loss. He will be missed.

  2. Jerry and Laura Pendergrass
    June 30, 2021 @ 2:19 pm

    My heart hurts for all of you. Prayers are going up. What an example of what a Christian should be. Lovlng family.

    In Christ’s Love,
    Jerry and Laura Pendergrass.

    We have been to many, many of your singings.

  3. curtis and Linda Barton
    June 30, 2021 @ 2:49 pm

    sorry about losing a great man___but glad to know he is in a lot better place..No more pain or the worries of this world..He will be missed but he is kicking up Gold dust now,,Destination reached,,Glory..

  4. Robin Hopper
    June 30, 2021 @ 8:02 pm

    So sorry for your loss, but we know he is shouting all over heaven with his beautiful bride! Prayers for everyone. We love your family so much!! Love, Hugs and Prayers.

  5. Sherry (DeShane) Riether
    July 1, 2021 @ 9:42 am

    We love you all and are lifting your family in our prayers. We know that we do not mourn as those who have no hope – but we have a CERTAINTY that Vernon is rejoicing in Heaven and has come face to face with Jesus! What a hope we have!

  6. Tiffany Ellison
    July 1, 2021 @ 11:44 am

    I am sorry for your loss but thankful for his gain. Brother Howell was such a blessing. I imagine the celebration he’s having with Jesus and Sister Howell!

    • Harvey and Marcia Allen
      July 2, 2021 @ 1:55 pm

      You have our deepest sympathy for the loss of a wonderful man. I admired his humble and loving spirit. It was a pleasure to have him join in singing with us at Shady Oaks. Prayers for your family. Harvey and Marcia Allen

  7. Bobby Henson
    July 1, 2021 @ 12:38 pm

    I’ve known Vernon since I was a kid. He was my school bus driver. A very kind man that lived his life as a good Christian. My condolences to all his family. He will be missed.

  8. James & Tricia Laney
    July 1, 2021 @ 9:54 pm

    Sorry for your family’s loss but he longed to be in heaven with the Lord and his wife and loved ones. I will always remember him singing and shouting up and down the ilse at church. I could feel the Lord in the room when he did that. He was one of the sweetest kindest Christian man I think I have ever known. He and his wife raised some really good christian children that are so talented. I could sit and listen to their singing for hours. The Howell family has been a blessing to me and my husband for sure. He will be missed by many. God bless the family ? Love y’all

  9. Rod and Melinda Denton
    July 1, 2021 @ 10:40 pm

    I am sure he is walking around heaven praising Jesus. What a testimony and blessed Saint! May God be close to your family in your time of loss. We are praying for you.

  10. Paula VanSlyke
    July 4, 2021 @ 11:21 pm

    Truly a Godly man entered the gates of heaven and Sis. Howell was waiting at the other side of Jordan! He was a joy to be around at Shady Oaks Healthcare, he always told me “I love you sis, thank you” Prayers for his family during your time of loss.
    Paula VanSlyke

  11. Jennifer Bartow
    July 5, 2021 @ 7:50 pm

    I am blessed to have gotten to meet & care for this amazing man theu my work at Shady Oaks. My heart breaks for you all & am truly very sorry for your loss. You are in my thoughts & prayers. God bless.

  12. Jana Dobson
    July 8, 2021 @ 11:10 am

    We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Vernon’s passing and continue praying for your family. One of Perry’s favorite memories was the first time he met Vernon. I believe Daniel was going to introduce them, but Vernon was on the roof of the gym at Kosh.
    If heaven needs a handyman, they certainly have one now!
    Perry and Jana Dobson

  13. Terri (Dozier) Scaff
    July 28, 2021 @ 4:51 pm

    He was a good man & had a nice family. I worked Miriam in 1979 at Kosh Schools, she oftentimes spoke of her father.❤️