Velma Riley Howell

Velma was born on December 7, 1931, and grew up on the family farm in rural Griggsville, IL. She excelled in scholastics and 4H, and was a talented piano player. She graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in home economics, and continued her education with a masters degree at the University of Wisconsin. Velma took a teaching position at the University of Tennessee, which brought her to Knoxville in 1955. While at UT, she worked her way up to assistant to the dean of the college of home economics, represented the college on campus wide committees, hosted a television show on interior design, and led a design tour to western Europe. Velma loved her career at UT and cheered for the Vols.

Velma met Thomas Rowe Howell of Gatlinburg, TN in the Belles and Bachelors Sunday School class at Church Street United Methodist Church. They married there on September 2, 1961, and were lifelong active members. Velma served as an employee of the church for eight years, and as a volunteer for the rest of her life. She served on the administrative board and church council for many years and was chairman of that group, was a trustee of Sterchi Lodge, served as youth coordinator and coordinator of children's ministries, was on leadership development and food service committees, served as Christ Care group leader and held many other positions. Velma was especially proud to serve as a volunteer supervisor for the soup kitchen for seventeen years. She was a member of her United Methodist Women Service Circle #7 for over fifty years, as well as a longtime member of her Sunday School Class, the Murphy Builders.

Velma was also active in her Home Economists in Homemaking group and the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences for over fifty years each, and a board member of the Tennessee Home Economics Association. She loved attending theater productions, the symphony and art museums. She supported the schools over the years, served as PTA president and assisted with the Girl Scouts. She was a fabulous cook and homemaker, and provided a loving home for her husband and three daughters, who miss her terribly. We have fond memories of our family camping trips to forty states, hiking in the Smokies and visits to family members. In recent years, Velma lived in the Buckingham community, and throughly enjoyed her new and longtime friends there and their many activities.

Velma was preceded in death by her parents, Glenn Virgil Riley and Mary Elizabeth Myers Riley, her sister Kathryn Riley Birch and husband Maynard, and brother Wayne Riley and wife Dorothy, all of Griggsville, IL. She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Thomas Rowe Howell, her three daughters, Angela Chramer (husband Scott) of Pelham, AL, Susan Grant (husband Chris) of Stowe, OH and Lisa Davis (husband Steve) of Knoxville, TN. Velma had an especially close relationship with her only grandchild, Ben Davis of Knoxville, and cherished every minute she had with him. She is also survived by three cousins, Ralph Myers, Richard Myers and Ronald Myers, as well as many much-loved nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A celebration of life service will be held on Saturday, July 16, 2016 at 1 p.m. at Church Street United Methodist Church, after which the family will receive friends in the Church Life Center. The graveside service will follow at 4 p.m. at Berry Highland Memorial Park, 5315 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN. Memorials may be made to the Griggsville United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 497, Griggsville, IL 62340, the Memorial Fund at Church Street United Methodist Church, 900 Henley Street, Knoxville, TN 37902, or Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, 3099 Winfield Dunn Pkwy. #2, Kodak, TN 37764. Memories of Velma may be shared at the reception, Church Street UMC office, or online at www.highlandmemorialknoxville.com.