Howard Hess

Howard was born in Gauley Bridge, West Virginia in 1940, the son of the late Howard A. and Rose Ann (Barton) Hess. Howard grew up enjoying the outdoors. At age 15, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout in Ansted, West Virginia before the family moved to Palmetto, Florida.He attended Manatee Junior College, Florida State University, and Michigan State University, graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Mass Merchandising. His career spanned 44 years with Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., beginning as a bag boy at age 16 and retiring at age 60 as Senior Vice President-Regional Director of the Atlanta, Ft. Worth, Louisville, and New Orleans divisions.

During his career, he developed lasting friendships with many associates, suppliers, and others, and he maintained those friendships by remembering birthdays and anniversaries with cards and lots of phone calls. He and his friends made lasting memories through hunting and fishing trips, NASCAR races, contest award travels, and motorcycle riding day trips over the North Georgia mountains. During his retirement years, he and his wife, Martha made lots of trips to spend time with their daughter, Ashley and her husband, Matt, and enjoyed watching the grandchildren, Drew and Caroline grow. He was a very loving son and caregiver to his mother, a widow for 40 years, until she passed in 2009.

Howard was easy to be around, always appreciative, and never bragging. He was humbly grateful for all of the blessings he received and he was a blessing to others. He had a talent for mentoring, motivating, and encouraging others. He was a good listener and was always a very hard worker. He put his trust in the Lord and wasn’t one to worry or think negatively.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 51 years, Martha, his daughter Ashley Williams (Matt), grandchildren Drew and Caroline Williams, sister Sue Fox (Tracy), sister-in-law Carol Hess, brother-in-law Steve Parsons (Carole), a niece Tonya Fox, and a nephew David Parsons II, and many cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother, Dexter Hess, and his brother-in-law, David Parsons.

Howard was a founding member of Grace Resurrection Methodist Church in Marietta, Georgia. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 2:00 pm, on July 31, 2024 at Grace Resurrection Methodist Church. Remembrances in his name may be made to Wellstar Hospice Care at Kennesaw Mountain-475 Dickson Avenue, Marietta, GA 30064 or Grace Resurrection Methodist Church-1200 Indian Hills Parkway, Marietta, GA 30068.