Lisa Dodson Howell
Ward Wilson Funeral Home and CrematoryViewed: 1398
Posted by: Ward Wilson
[email protected]
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Date: Nov 27 2024 12:33 PM
Lisa Dodson Howell, 65, of Dothan went home to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on November 24, 2024.
Lisa was preceded in death by her mother, Betty Cole Dodson. She is survived by her father Harold Thomas Dodson of Roswell, GA and her husband Harry Claypool Howell, III “Clay” of 40 years; by her daughters Hayden Howell Beale (Nelson) of Norfolk, VA and Melanie Howell Elmore (Nick) of Dothan, and son Harry Claypool Howell, IV “Hap” (Sarah) of Dothan; by grandchildren Raegan Nicole Elmore and Everett Adam Elmore of Dothan, Wallace Livingston Beale and Ellie Grace Beale of Norfolk and Harry Claypool Howell, V of Dothan. She is also survived by her brother Dr. Thomas Lee Dodson (Amy) and sister Lynda Dodson Livingston (Cary); and by eight nieces and nephews and their families.
Lisa was born in Newnan, GA and grew up in Roswell, GA where she graduated from Roswell High School in 1977. She received her B. F. A. degree in visual design from Auburn University in 1981.
She would say her foundational identity became that of a dearly loved, adopted daughter of her Heavenly Father during her freshman year at Auburn. All her subsequent activities were grounded in that foundation.
A dean’s list student, she was a member of the Tau Sigma Delta honorary for architecture and fine arts, the Auburn University Arts Club, and the Auburn University Concert Choir. She was also active in the Auburn University Wesley Foundation and remained in contact with many friends she made there.
Upon graduation, she joined the firm Design Associates in Dothan, later renamed Slaughter Hanson and Associates, where she served as Art Director. Several of the logos she worked on are still used by Dothan area businesses, such as that of Southern Bone and Joint Specialists.
In her first year in Dothan, she became a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she led a high school girls’ Bible study and where a year later, she later met her husband, Clay.
After marrying Clay in 1984, she became a homemaker. She began her involvement in a young women’s Bible Study led by Dottie Smith about that time. That example shaped the way she discipled younger women and contemporaries the rest of her life.
Her investments in the lives of others through women’s discipleship groups continued her whole life.
Lisa enjoyed tennis and a group exercise class where she made a number of lifelong friends. Another group of special friends were the members of the Tuesday Women’s Study Club.
She was active in the founding of Providence Christian school with Clay and a number of others. Lisa taught the first art classes at Providence and organized the first Arts Day which has grown into Fine Arts Week.
As she approached the empty nest years, she became the marketing director for Howell Hardwood Flooring in 2007 as the family business made the difficult transition from being a hardwood plywood mill into a specialty hardwood flooring company. She played a key role in the now 78-year-old family business, making the transition into what it is today.
She enjoyed traveling with Clay on business trips their entire married life. For 10 years she and Clay made annual trips to the Association of Classical Christian Schools’ annual conference. Over the past 15 years she and Clay enjoyed an annual trip with his Vistage business group. She organized one of that group’s annual couples’ trips to Miami – still considered a group favorite trip. Lisa also planned and enjoyed special family trips in the US and abroad, often with her family and special friends. Auburn tailgates with family and friends were another rich family and friend tradition.
Walks, sunsets, and family gatherings at the beach, always remained among her favorite times. She and Clay spent their honeymoon and over thirty-five anniversaries there. Melanie and Nick were married there and Nelson proposed to Hayden on the beach near the family beach house in Sunnyside, FL.
Lisa lived a life with intentional love for the Lord, her husband, their children, their grandchildren, and friends. Numerous family members and friends recall special acts of tailor-made kindness and love that continue to bless them to this day. She knew how to always choose the right birthday card, gift, or favorite meal of the person being celebrated. In all her relationships, she gave of herself and invested well through her intentional acts of kindness, love, forgiveness, and support.
Her home – especially around the dinner table - was the place of countless memories. Her eye for beauty made her home a very special place. Her home served as a place for numerous themed birthday parties for children, and special year birthday parties for adult family and friends. She used her home for engagement parties, wedding and baby showers and a gathering place for friends and family.
Clay always referred to her as his closest friend and wisest counsellor. Her children also called her one of their closest friends and strongest advocates. She remembered her friends’ birthdays and made sure they were celebrated well. She knew each person’s interests and acted upon them as her way of showing her love.
Her three-year battle with non-small cell lung cancer was marked by grace, trust, hope, and courage. She truly fought the good fight and finished her race very well.
As King Lemuel says in Proverbs 31 about women like Lisa:
Strength and dignity were her clothing,
She opened her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness was on her tongue.
She looked well to the ways of her household and did not eat the bread of idleness.
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
Legacy is a word that several family members, friends and former work colleagues used in describing her life. It has been said that “life equal relationships.” Hers was rich and full.
To quote hymn writer John Newton:
“Let us praise and join the chorus of the saints enthroned on high.
Here they trusted Him before us.
Now their praises fill the sky.”
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Student Learning Services program at Providence Christian School which provides resources to students with learning or developmental disabilities, or to the Providence Christian School Fine Arts Department.
4847 Murphy Mill Road
Dothan, Al 36303
There will be a private burial at Memory Hill Cemetery at 1p.m. December 1, 2024, for the family.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. December 1, 2024, at the First Presbyterian Church in Dothan.
A visitation from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. will follow at the church.
The Service will be livestreamed:
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