Rudine “Dean” Battles Howell was born July 18, 1927 in Houston County, Alabama to the late Bud and Parlee Battles. Dean passed away in her home accompanied by loved ones on the morning of April 12, 2025. She was 97 years old.
She was raised and lived in the Hodgesville/Ardilla community her entire life where she was a lifelong member of Memphis Baptist Church. Dean retired from Hedstrom Union Company in Dothan after 38 years of work and later worked at Florida Microfilm before she stayed home to care for her two great-grandsons.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack Howell, with whom she spent 60 years, and daughter, Malinda McCallister Brown, as well as her eight siblings. She is survived by her two grandsons Jay (Carlotta) McCallister and Jeff (Lisa) McCallister, and her two great-grandsons Justin McCallister and Jayse McCallister. She is also survived by her best friend and caregiver for the past 12 years, Mary Anne Zuber, and one brother-in-law, James (Shirley) Howell. She also has several nieces and nephews.
There will be a graveside service held on Tuesday, April 15th at 11am at the Memphis Baptist Church Cemetery with Reverend Billy Rich officiating.
