QUENTINE HOWELL
Died March 10, 2013
PIKEVILLE -- Quentine Howell, 94, died March 10, 2013, at Kitty Askins Hospice Center.
Born in Wayne County, he was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie Orlando Thomas Tonkin Howell and Smitha "Smithy" Jane Howell, and his beloved wife of 71 years, Lucinda "Cindy" Howell.
Quentine was also preceded in death by his eight siblings with whom he enjoyed a very special bond, Cornelia P. Lancaster, Talmadge, Clifton, Norman and Cebie Howell and Colleen Jones and Dolly Crawford all of Wayne County.
Quentine graduated from Pikeville High School, where he played baseball and enjoyed the drama club. He furthered his education studying business at Atlantic Christian College, Wilson, N.C.
He spent his early years working on the family farm.
In 1947 he joined two of his brothers, Talmadge and Clifton, to form Howell Brothers Grocery in Pikeville, N.C. There he served the community for 61 years with great joy and personal satisfaction before retiring at the age of 89.
Because of his age, Quentine had many humorous first-time experiences -- his unpleasant reaction to carbonation in an unknown beverage called Pepsi, his first sighting of a blimp that made him flee in fear to the nearest ditch and hearing his father yelling, "Whoa!" to stop their first family car before it plunged into a deep hole because he forgot how to apply the brakes.
Quentine was one of the original members of Pikeville Volunteer Fire Department and strongly felt it was the best asset a community could have. The department did not have a fire truck when it first started, so they took turns pulling a hose reel around town.
He also thought highly of, and supported, the Fremont Rescue Squad in its early days.
From childhood, he attended Pleasant Grove Free Will Baptist Church and watched it grow from a one-room white building.
He loved Pikeville, and in 2003 was honored by the city with the Outstanding Male Citizen Award for his service and care of those in northern Wayne County.
Quentine is survived by his daughter, Jane Gale Woodard and husband, Richard, of Goldsboro.
He is also survived by three grandchildren, Warren Woodard and wife, Melodie, of Goldsboro, Angela Kirkland and husband, Randy, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Christy Kelly and husband, Keith, of Dunn; eight grandchildren, Josh Passerello, Trae and Kathlyn Woodard and Coeltryn, Keaton, Addison and Rhett Kirkland and Tanner and Leyton Kelly; and others include Charlie Howell, his nephew and devoted business partner, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and nieces.
Visitation will be from 1 to 1:45 p.m. at Howell Funeral Home, Goldsboro, Saturday, March 16, followed by the funeral service. A graveside service will be in Pikeville Cemetery.
Family will greet friends prior to the day of the funeral at 371 Country Day Road, Goldsboro.
Memorials may be made to Pleasant Grove Free Will Baptist Church or Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Fire Department, Pikeville, N.C., 27863.
The family extends its deepest gratitude to the staffs of Countryside Village, the Sterling House and Kitty Askins for their love and compassionate care.
Light a candle at www.howellfuneral.com.
(Pd)
Published in Obituaries on March 14, 2013 1:48 PM