RAYMOND G. HOWELL
Aug. 21, 1911-Jan. 28, 2008
DURHAM -- Raymond G. Howell, died on Monday at Hospice at the Meadowlands, in Hillsborough, N.C.
He was born in Wayne County, N.C. to the late Edward and Vara Howell. He was preceded in death by his wife, Roxie Gurley Howell in 1979 and second wife, Wilma Motley Howell, in 2003. Also preceding him in death were four stepdaughters and several brothers and sisters.
He is survived by two daughters, Barbara H. DeBank and husband, Douglas, Jean H. Reese and husband, Donald, all of Durham; a brother, John Howell and wife, Frances, of Goldsboro; three grandsons, Kyle DeBank and Derek DeBank, both of Raleigh; Kevin Barbee and one great-granddaughter, Tiffany, both of Hillsborough, N.C. He is also survived by several step-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Raymond graduated from Rosewood High School in Wayne County and Coyne Electrical School in Chicago, Ill. He was the owner and operator of Howell Electric Company in Durham and for many years taught the electrical contractors licensing courses at Durham Tech. In 1957 he was appointed Chief Electrical Inspector for the City of Durham and served in that capacity until his retirement in 1976.
He was a member of Calvary Methodist Church and in later years attended Grace Baptist Church. He was a York Rite Mason, a member of the Durham Engineer's Club and an active member of The International Brother-hood of Electrical Workers.
Raymond was noted for his skill and keen interest in gardening and constructed his own climate-controlled greenhouse and plant beds. His gardens were often featured in the Durham newspapers.
The family will receive friends Thursday from 1 to 2 p.m. followed by funeral services in the chapel of Seymour Funeral Home in Goldsboro. Burial will follow in the Princeton Cemetery.
The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks to his wonderful neighbors, especially Jan and Tony Boyette.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at seymourfuneralhome.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on January 30, 2008 1:49 PM