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Dr. Charles B. Howell

Charles Howell Obituary

Feb. 20, 1930 Oct. 6, 2003
Dr. Charles Baxter Howell of Decatur died Monday. He was the son of Inez Childs Howell and the late J.C. Hobson Howell. He was know as "Pistol" by the many who befriended him. He attended Decatur City Schools, graduating from Riverside High School in 1948. He received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Alabama in 1952, where he was a member of the Million Dollar Band. He received a doctor of medicine degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in 1956. He completed his residency at Georgia Baptist Hospital in Atlanta. Dr. Howell was a veteran of the United States Army and was honorably discharged with the rank of Captain. Dr. Howell returned to Decatur in 1963, to establish a practice in Obstetrics and Gynecology. He retired from private practice in 1995 after delivering more than 6,000 babies. He then served eight years in the medical department at the Browns Ferry Nuclear Facility. He was a member of local, state, and national medical societies, serving in positions of leadership in each. He was a past president of the Alumni association of the University of Alabama School of Medicine. He was the first president of the Appalachian Regional Council. He was honored at the Decatur General Foundations 1999 Gala where he was the recipient of the John A. Caddell service award. He was a member of First Baptist Church where he served at a deacon and a Sunday school teacher. Dr. Howell is survived by his wife, Jan Belew Howell; his mother, Inez Childs Howell of Decatur; sons and daughters-in-law, Charles Baxter and Phyllis Howell Jr., John Calvin and Lisa Howell, all of Huntsville and Todd Belew Howell of Biloxi, Miss. He is also survived by grandchildren, Rachel Paige Howell, John Wesley Howell and Austin Max Croft. He was preceded in death by his father, J.C. Hobson Howell. Visitation will be from 6 to 8 p.m. today at Roselawn Funeral Home. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Thursday in the main sanctuary of First Baptist Church with the Rev. Buddy Chapmion and Dr. Michael Brooks officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to the fund for the Billy Stephenson Chapel at First Baptist Church in Decatur or the Foundation for Mental Health of North Central Alabama.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by AL.com (Huntsville) on Oct. 8, 2003.

Memories and Condolences
for Charles Howell

23 Entries

Penny Bryant

November 9, 2003

Mrs. Howell, I was so shocked to learn of your loss. I just wanted to let you know that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Dr. Howell delivered both of my children and always had time to listen to me and give me words of wisdom. He was one of the greatest people that I have ever meet. He always called me peanut. I was a very young mother and he only took me as a patient because my mother was one of his patients. He always told me I was like raising another child. He truly was a GREAT Man. He will be greatly missed.

Patti and Mike Burnside

November 6, 2003

In memory of a dear friend and family member. We are all better people for having known you.

Roylene Yao

November 2, 2003

My condolences to you for the loss of a wonderful man, Doctor and friend. As a former patient, I have not found another OBGYN as caring and compassionate as he was.. I will always remember him .

Roylene McCleskey Yao

Joyce (Bird) & John W. Carson

October 15, 2003

Joyce is critically ill at the Kindred Hospital in Louisville but I know that she joins me in sending our sympathies and love to all. He was a great and good friend of the Browning and Bird familes and many fond memories of him will forever remain in our hearts. J.W.

Mary Creekmore

October 15, 2003

Jan and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Pistol's death.My love and prayers.

Mary

james kirkwood

October 14, 2003

Jan Rose,

You and Pistol were always such a joy to be with. All of us love to be with you. May our Father continue to give you a joyous heart is the midst of sorrow.

We love you,

james, karen, elizabeth, david, grace, and nathan kirkwood

Grady Owens

October 14, 2003

Dr Howell was two years behind me at Riverside. I was a drug detailman in Atlanta while he was doing his residency at Georgia Baptist Hospital and saw him frequently while he was there.

I called on his father, J.C. at Dillehay's and remember his father and mother riding to Birmingham with me to visit Pistol while he was in Medical School.

My heartfelt sympathy to the family.

Billie J/Ray L. Hord Sr

October 13, 2003

Jan Rose and Family,

The children of Olga and John Wade wish to express our condolences on this sad ocassion. I am writing this for the family. We finally had a chance to meet Pistol a few years ago. Billie and Ray Hord

Joyce Hames

October 13, 2003

Dr. Howell delivered both of my children, in 1972 and 1974. He always had time to talk and listen to any problems I might have. I have missed seeing him since he retired. He was a wonderful, caring doctor.

Patricia (Pat) Maxey

October 12, 2003

I have traveled many miles since Dr. Howell was my doctor in Decatur. I arived in Decatur in the middle 60's and left in the the middle to late 70'S. I know without a doubt that he was my savior several times. I have wished many times that I could travel back there just for the wonderful doctor that I found Dr. Howel to be. My thoughts and prayers will be with his family in the coming days ahead, I know that times will be rough. Just a little trust in the Lord will help you through these bad days that the whole family will have to face. Just trust in the Lord and you will find the light of day.

Janice Hendon Douglas

October 11, 2003

Dear Inez, Jan, & family,

Words cannot express the deep admiration that I held for you son, husband, and father. He was a highly respected man as well as doctor. It is with heartfelt regards that I extend my utmost sympathy for your loss. Pistol will be greatly missed. My prayer is that God will embrace you in His loving arms for God is the Great Comforter. I love you all.

Jan Douglas

Katie DeKalb

October 11, 2003

Jan Rose and boys,

We are so sorry to hear about Pistol. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. You have always been such a precious part of our family and some of my earliest childhood memories are of you. I will always remember Pistol coming to our house in Edgewater and how you always looked after and loved Granny. If there is anything we can do for you please let me know. We love you.

Kirk and Katie DeKalb

Karen Love

October 11, 2003

Dear Jan, Charlie, John and Todd,

We are so sorry we could not be with you all on Thursday. Please know that we have kept you in our prayers daily and will continue to remember your family. Glenn and I loved Pistol so very much and will greatly miss his smile, jokes and wonderful sense of humor. He also did a great job of bringing a big, breech baby brother to me on May 29, 1967. I look forward to visiting with you very soon in Decatur.

Love to all,

Karen, Glenn, Tyler, Harrison and Wilson.

martha mcnelly

October 11, 2003

Dear, dear Inez, and all your family, we go so far back- to when we lived on Jackson St and 10th Ave, from '47 to '65, and you lived on Grant and Tenth, we were neighbors. You were a joy for all to know. I regret the loss of both of your great men in your life, 'JC' and 'Pistal'. Fine people.

With love to you,Inez, and all of Pistal's family,

(Please see that Inez gets my message)

Martha Nash McNelly

Lamar Barkley

October 10, 2003

Mrs. Howell and family,

Just to let you know that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time. May God be with you in a special way.

Lamar Barkley

Tracy Taylor-Nelms

October 9, 2003

I am so sorry for your loss. I knew Dr. Howell for many years. I was the General Manager for Doctor's Exchange (answering service) and we loved him dearly. May God be with you and your family in your time of need.

Tracy Taylor-Nelms

Jean Holmes

October 8, 2003

My deepest sympathy to the family. Dr. Howell was loved by many and will certainly be missed.

Andrea McInnis Gibson

October 8, 2003

My heart aches with the loss of your husband,father and son. I was one of Dr. Howell's many patients and thought the utmost highest of him. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with each of you during this difficult time in your life. I pray God's loving arms will engulf each of you.

God's Blessings to you all,

Andrea McInnis Gibson and family

Carolyn Cantrell Brannon

October 8, 2003

Our sincere sympathy. Dr.Howell was a wonderful OB/GYN and I appreciate so much his life, work and testimony. He delivered all 3of my babies. I was Todd's 3 year old choir director at First Baptist. My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Anita Baker (Gill)

October 8, 2003

Dear Jan, Charlie, John, Todd, Inez & Family;

Please know that my thoughts and prayers are with you today and always. Sincere condolences from all the Baker/Taylor's.

Anita, Ed, Jason & Kristin

Jada Lynne Douglas

October 8, 2003

I am praying for you all during this loss of your loved one. As a patient of Dr. Howell's, he was a great man and gave me much comforting when I was going through a tramatic time of divorce in my life. He spoke words of wisdom and had a heart the size of Texas. He was open, honest, and very frank with me. I will forever hold his memory in my heart. A good man, a great man, a giant of a man, and yes, indeed, a "Pistol". I thank God for his presence in my life. May God bless you, keep you safe, give you a peace that passes all understanding, and may you find your comfort in HIS arms.

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