James Howell

Waynesville, James Erastus Howell, Sr. passed away on Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at the Brian Center. A native and lifelong resident of Haywood County, he was the son of the late Robert Wesley and Fannie Queen Howell. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Edryl Jones Howell, who passed away in 2007 and a sister Mary Jo Prebeck. He was a US Air Force veteran of World War II having served in France and England. He retired after 28 years from the Dayco Corporation as a department supervisor. He is survived by a son, James E. Howell, Jr. and his wife, Marilyn, of Waynesville; one brother, Robert W. "Chief" Howell, Jr. of Missouri; two grandchildren, Jessica Dawn Howell and Mikaela LeeAnn Howell; three step grandchildren, Leslie Ferguson Oles and her husband, Andrew and Matt Ferguson; one great grandson, Levi Oles; one niece, Mary Hargett of Monroe, NC; and two nephews, Robert Prebeck of Missouri and Stephen Prebeck of Tennessee. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2009 in the Waynesville Chapel of Wells Funeral Home with Reverend George Norsworthy officiating. Burial will be at Green Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 2:00 p.m. prior to services. Memorials may be made to Shady Grove United Methodist Church, 3570 Jonathan Creek Road, Waynesville, NC 28785.

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