Larry Howell

Celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at our Hattie G. Watkins Memorial Chapel 163 North Avenue Jonesboro, GA 30236

Larry Norvell Howell (73 years young), passed away on Saturday, December 4 at 6:12pm due to complications from a chronic health condition. Larry was born on August 13, 1949 to Alene Hastings (deceased) and Nathaniel Howell (deceased) in Clinton, Oklahoma. Larry served in the United States Army for 24 years and retired as a Sergeant First Class. During his time in the armed forces he lived in Korea, Japan, England, and throughout the United States. After his military retirement, he worked at the North Metro office of the United States Postal Service and retired in 2013 after 20 years of service.

Sun Howell was the love of Larry’s life. They met while he was on military duty in Korea and married on May 4, 1973. Larry and Sun went on to have 5 children, Malcom Park Howell, Regina (Howell) Finan, and Larry Ali Howell (a daughter and a son did not live long after birth). Larry had a strong work ethic and was a competent and dutiful employee. He served the United States Army and the United States Postal Service with honor and integrity. Larry had a larger-than-life personality and rarely met a stranger. He was kind, loving, easygoing, incredibly generous, and had a great sense of humor.

In his spare time, Larry enjoyed many hobbies including singing (at one point as the lead singer of a band, TNT Express), playing games (backgammon and chess were favorites), fishing, music (he had a robust record collection and eventually started creating curated cds for friends and family), art (he was talented at drawing and enjoyed coloring), dancing (he did a good James Brown impersonation), fitness (he was an avid racquetball player for many years and enjoyed working out at LA Fitness), and riding his motorcycle. But, what Larry enjoyed more than anything was his family (he kept tabs on everyone and called to check on his immediate and extended family regularly), especially his grandchildren. Larry was a “grandpa extraordinaire” and lavished love, affection, and gifts on his grandchildren; they brought him immeasurable joy.

Larry was incredibly blessed and enjoyed many adventures in his life (including catching an octopus in Hawaii, chasing dangerous snakes in the jungle, riding his motorcycle through the mountains in Japan, turning down an opportunity to spar with Muhammad Ali in the boxing ring, and being at the beck and call of his grandchildren). He will be missed every day and is survived by his loving wife Sun and their three children, Malcom Howell, Regina (Howell) Finan and her husband Chris, Larry Howell and his wife Rachel; his three beloved grandchildren, Isabella, Chris Jr., and Keira; and aunts, uncles, cousins, other relatives, and friends. Larry was preceded in death by his parents Alene (Hastings) Smith and Nathaniel Howell, and his stepfather, J.C. Smith.

Services will be held at the Anthony L. Watkins Funeral Home at 163 North Avenue, Jonesboro, GA 30236 in the Hattie G. Watkins Memorial Chapel at 3:00pm on Saturday, December 17, 2022. Viewing and visitation will be held on Friday, December 16, 2022 from 4:00pm - 7:00pm at the Anthony L. Watkins Funeral Home at 163 North Avenue, Jonesboro, GA 30236. Larry was devoted to helping others (especially veterans), so in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Warrior Alliance (www.thewarrioralliance.org) or Puppies Behind Bars (www.puppiesbehindbars.com) or the charity of your choice in his memory. 

Viewing and Visitation: Friday, December 16, 2022 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. @ Anthony L. Watkins Funeral Home.

Interment: Private

Final Arrangements Entrusted To: Anthony L. Watkins Funeral Home Jonesboro Chapel "Service with Compassion" 163 North Avenue Jonesboro, Georgia 30236 (678) 479-0806 Anthony L. Watkins, President