Ina Rebecca Howell (Becky) died on June 18, 2019, at her home in Ellerbe, where she was born on December 6, 1923.
She was a proud 1944 graduate of Salem College with a B.A. in English and French . She received her M.A. Degree in English from UNC, Chapel Hill in 1945. After teaching at Piedmont Junior High School in Charlotte (1946-48) and Maxton High School (1948-50), she returned to the Howell family home in Ellerbe, the place she loved. She taught English at Rockingham High School for 20 years and then at Richmond Senior High School for six, retiring in 1978.
Becky joined Ellerbe Methodist Church when she was 10 years old. She played the church piano and organ for about 66 years, directed the choir for about 38 years, taught Sunday School, served on the Administrative Council, the Board of Trustees, and led the United Methodist Women for over 40 years.
She was the loving, faithful daughter of Dr. William Lawrence Howell and Ina Parsons Howell, of Ellerbe. She was preceded in death by her parents; four siblings, Mary Hunter Howell (infant), Thomas Parsons Howell, William Lawrence Howell Jr. of Raeford, and James Baldwin Howell of Greensboro; and nephew, William Lawrence Howell III of Woodruff, South Carolina. Surviving her are loving nieces and nephews and their spouses: Kristin Howell, David Howell (Charlotta), Ann Howell Pate (Warren), Tom Howell (Kim), Winborne Howell Gautreaux (Tim), and Shirley Howell, widow of W.L. Howell III.
The funeral was held at Ellerbe United Methodist Church June 23, 2019 at 3 p.m.
Burial was in Parsons Cemetery, Cartledge Creek Road.
Designated memorials may be given to Ellerbe United Methodist Church, Kemp Memorial Library, Ellerbe, or Rankin Museum, Ellerbe.
Online condolences may be made at www.watson-kingfuneralhome.com Watson-King Funeral Home in Rockingham is serving the Howell family.