Jack Clarence Howell, better known as “JC”, passed away peacefully Thursday, October 20, 2016, surrounded by his family at the Rehabilitation Center of South Georgia in Tifton, following an extended illness. His funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, October 23, 2016, at Brookfield Baptist Church with the Rev. Gary Cadwell officiating. Mr. Howell will be laid to rest at Mount Paran Church Cemetery in Alapaha. The family will receive friends Sunday, October 23, 2016, from 12:30 p.m. until the hour of the service at Brookfield Baptist Church.
Craig Howell, Wayne Howell, Mike Howell, Courtney Howell, Chance Howell and Will Howell will serve as pallbearers. Honorary pallbearers will be Ted Jones, Van Smith, Kyle Brooks, Steve Lindsey, Chad Brooks and deacons of Brookfield Baptist Church.
Born October 22, 1929 in Tift County, Mr. Howell was just a few days away from his 87th birthday. Mr. Howell was preceded in death by his parents, Wilbur L. Howell and Sarah Suggs Howell, an infant brother and infant sister, along with brothers, JR Howell and Talmadge Howell, whom he loved deeply.
Always courageous, he left high school early to serve in World War II, where he was stationed in the Philippines. Upon returning from duty, he played football and graduated from Tift County High School. That same year, in 1950, he married the love of his life, Betty Jean Barfield, and they built a life together for 66 years. They were blessed with three sons.
Mr. Howell was a retired farmer and businessman. He was a former member of the Board of Directors of the Citizens Bank; deacon of Brookfield Baptist Church; and was instrumental in helping build the current Brookfield Baptist Church, which he attended.
He was known by many nicknames to his family – Daddy, Granddaddy and Papa – and loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. In his later years, he took great pride and care of his great-grandchildren, as well, always with his beloved Betty Jean, “Mama”, by his side.
He loved fishing, farming and gardening, growing and building things, canning his vegetables and he loved the Lord.
One of the only things he didn’t like, however, was waiting around. “Hurry up and let’s go!” were words well-known to his family. (Thank you for giving us almost 87 years though, Papa, before you had to hurry to your heavenly home.)
Mr. Howell is survived by his wife, Betty; three sons and two daughters-in-law, Wayne and Melinda Howell, Michael Howell and Craig and Shannon Howell, all of Tifton. He leaves behind four grandchildren, Chance and Will Howell and Jacey Brooks (Chad) and Courtney Howell (Amy), as well as five great-grandchildren. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews, whom he cherished.
Flowers will be accepted or memorial gifts may be made to Brookfield Baptist Church, 2454 U. S. Highway 82 East, Brookfield, GA 31727; of Hospice of Tift Area, P. O. Box 747, Tifton, GA 31793.