Beverly Brown Howell

Beverly Brown Howell of Dothan, AL and Highlands, NC passed away on July 2, 2023. She was 87.

Beverly was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Harry Claypool Howell, Jr., her parents, Clyde Ree Brown and Eva Jewel "Judy" Hargrove Brown; grandparents Alex Clinton Brown and Lela Williams Brown; James Henry Hargrove and Theodocia Skipper Hargrove; sister, Becky Brown Beatty and brother-in-law, Jackson Gibbs Beatty; brother-in-law, James Eli Howell; grandson, Clinton Williams Taylor; and Mildred Frazier. Beverly is survived by two sons, Harry Claypool Howell, III (Lisa) of Dothan and Clyde Clinton Howell of Charlotte, NC; and a daughter, Judy Grace "Honey" Howell Taylor (George) of Birmingham; and grandchildren, Hayden Howell Beale (Nelson), Melanie Howell Elmore (Nick), Harry Claypool "Hap" Howell, IV (Sarah), Dr. George Malcolm Taylor, IV (Callie), Lottice Howell Taylor and Emma Bolling Hall Taylor. Beverly had six Great Grandchildren, Wallace Livingston Beale, Elizabeth Grace Beale, Raegan Nicole Elmore, Everett Adam Elmore, Harry Claypool Howell, V and Alice Gray Taylor. She is survived by nephews, Jackson Gibbs Beatty, Jr. (Brandy), John Eli Howell, II (Tina), James Davis Howell, Eric Weeks Howell (Christy), Daniel Everette Howell, Jim Bowen Thagard, Jr. (Carolyn), Kent Bennett Thagard (Heather); and nieces, Sue Anne Howell Deese and Bethany Beatty Duggins (Nathan), step brother, Jim Bowen Thagard (Martha) and Princella McClendon Thompson.

Born in Bonifay, Florida, on June 15, 1936, Beverly was the Valedictorian of her class at Holmes County High School. She attended the University of Florida where she was a member of Alpha Delta Pi sorority and served as vice-president. After her marriage to Harry Howell in 1956, Beverly moved to his home of Dothan where she spent the next 66 years of her life. Beverly loved to spend time at the beaches of Northwest Florida after making her first trip to the Gulf of Mexico at the age of six weeks.

The last 24 years of her life, she also maintained a house in Highlands, NC. In Highlands, she reconnected with friends from her time spent at the University of Florida and with extended family members. Highlands was truly Beverly's sanctuary for peace and tranquility.

In 1956, she transferred her membership from the First Methodist Church of Bonifay to the First Presbyterian Church of Dothan. At First Presbyterian, she served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School teacher, Youth Chaperone to Montreat, Women in the Church President, and Church Circle Leader.

She served her community as a Girl Scout Leader, Cub Scout Den Mother, Houston Academy PTA Auxiliary President, Houston Academy Mayfair Chairman, Active Alpha Delta Pi alum, House of Ruth board member, Meals on Wheels volunteer, Salvation Army volunteer, Sororculae Study Club President, and Service League member. Beverly's Southern charm, hospitality, and curiosity fostered her interests in meeting new and different people. She excelled in cooking and entertaining. Hospitality was a gift that Beverly had, and she shared it throughout her life. Beverly enjoyed time in the TNT Supper Club and the Luncheon Bridge Club.

Gardening was not just a hobby for Beverly, it was her lifeblood.. She was a flower show judge, a rose show winner, a dahlia show winner, Garden Study Club President, and Master Gardener. She served as a Board Member and Regional Advisor for the Southeastern Flower Show for several years. She was an associate member of the Laurel Garden Club of Highlands. She became a Garden Tour Director for Connoisseur Tours for three European tours including tours to the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Flower Show, and also the Philadelphia Flower Show. In Highlands, Beverly enjoyed countless classes through the Center for Life Enrichment. She became a CLE Board Member. Here she learned new skillsets in storytelling, painting, cooking, gardening as well as studying Southern writers and literature, along with world politics and religion.

Her amazing fearlessness, sense of adventure and ability to dream big, enabled her to encourage others to follow their dreams and passions. An avid reader, Beverly read and researched where she planned to travel. In her 87 years, she traveled to all 50 states and 130 countries which enabled her to experience different cultures and meet different people. Because of her travels, she joined the Century Club and the Circumnavigators. An avid Florida Gator, Beverly attended SEC Football Championship games in Atlanta, and National Championship games in both Football and Final Four Basketball games. A fourth generation Floridian, Beverly loved following the Florida Gators through good times and bad. Beverly was extremely proud to be able to trace her ancestors back to the Royal families of Europe. Because of that heritage, she was able to join the following organizations which she was honored to become a member: The Baronial Order of the Magna Charta, The Military Order of the Crusades, The Order of the Merovingian Dynasty, and The Order of the Norman Conquest.

Beverly was a descendant of Revolutionary War Patriot Joseph Watford, Northwest Florida Pioneer, Andrew Elton Williams, and the first minister of First Baptist Church of Dothan, J.C. Skipper. Because of this heritage, she was able to join the following organizations which she was honored to become a member: The Jamestowne Society, The Daughters of the American Revolution, The Colonial Dames of America, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America, The National Society of Colonial Dames of America XVII Century, The National Society of Daughters of Colonial Wars, The National Society Daughters of the American Colonists, National Society Daughters of 1812, United Daughters of the Confederacy, The National Society of the Sons and Daughters of the Pilgrims and National Society of Southern Dames of America. Special thanks to Beverly's physicians, Dr. Chris Byard and Dr. Calvin Reid. The family is particularly thankful for the compassionate and loving care that Beverly received from Princella Thompson, Venecia. Parker, Helen Norton, Annie Redding and her New Season Care Team, along with Gentiva Hospice, all of whom made it possible for Beverly to live at home according to her wishes.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be sent to First Presbyterian Church, Attention: Grounds Committee, 3012 W. Main Street, Dothan, AL 36305; The Southeast Alabama Camelia Society, Attention: Bill Nichols, 453 Rambo Mill Road, Cottonwood, AL, 36320; First Presbyterian Church, Attention: Grounds Committee, 471 Main Street, Highlands, NC, 28741, or the organization of your choice.

Robert and Toni Byrd · Sunset Memorial Park

1700 Barrington Rd, Midland City AL · (334) 983-6604