Raymond R. Howell

Raymond R. Howell, age 93, of Bel Air, MD, passed away on March 29, 2014 at his Brightview Avondell residence. Born August 28, 1920 in Upton, NC, he was the son of the late Tyra Glenn and Sarah Madeline Ham Howell. His wife of 62 years, the late Rieta Mae Howell, predeceased him in 2008.

Shortly after his birth, Raymond and his family moved to Maryland where he resided for the rest of his life. At the age of 16, he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior while attending the Oak Grove Baptist Church. Later, he entered the U.S. Army and served during WWII in the Medical Service. In 1950, he and his wife Rieta purchased a farm in the Joppa area were they lived for the next 58 years. In 1958, Raymond joined Calvary Baptist Church in Bel Air where he became an active member serving faithfully as a deacon and youth Sunday School teacher for many years. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service and had a phenomenal memory for names of the people he met and served while working there. An avid traveler across the globe, he loved to listen to country music and occasionally played the guitar with his friends.

A humble and generous individual, Mr. Howell was the youngest of nine children and is predeceased by his sisters, Leota, Clara and Esther; and by his brothers, Olney, Glen, Thomas, Worth and Hobart Howell. He is survived by several nieces and nephews that he enjoyed keeping in touch with.

Pallbearers will be James Wingler, Jerry Howell, Walter Jones, Joseph Carr, Scott Childress, and Jeffrey Harris. Honorary pallbearers are Jack Mead, Paul Childress, Dan Kilby, Ray Johnson, Ward Baugess, Dean Youngberg, Eugene Poole, Alvan Hoffman, Hobart Howell Jr. and James Little.

Those who desire may make a donation to the Salvation Army of Central Maryland, 814 Light Street, Baltimore, MD 21230 or the Helping Up Mission, 1029 E. Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21202. On line giving is also available at each organization's website.