Charles Melvin Howell

Charles Melvin Howell passed away Sunday, October 6th, 2024 at Tucker Hospice House with family by his side. Whether you knew him as Melvin, Dad, Grandaddy, Mel, Uncle Mel, or Papa Howell - he was well-known for his smile, hugs and care for others. He was a consummate problem solver and never met a situation he could not fix, or in the rare occurrence he couldn’t, he always “knew of someone” who could help.

Born July 16, 1939 in Charlotte, North Carolina, Mel was the youngest son of the late Wardrien Selvey Howell and Herron Williams Howell. He was a graduate of Catawba College in Salisbury, North Carolina and graduated from West Mecklenburg High School in 1957 where he was the student body president.

Over the years, Mel had many careers, starting in high school, he worked at Howell’s Esso on Graham Street in Charlotte. During college he drove a tanker truck for Esso and eventually was a salesman for Exxon. The next phase of his career was in the convenience store, gasoline and home heating oil business. At his death, Mel owned and operated HS&E Inc. as project manager in the environmental field.

Mel was committed to serving others as evidenced by his chaperoning high school students to Glorietta New Mexico in 1962, traveling to Belize to build a church, and to Ukraine to build an orphanage. Mel was known for his country breakfast in Ukraine, a place he visited four times.

He also traveled to Nigeria during the oil crisis in the 1980’s. An adventure that he could have written a book about. His adventures led him to the Bahamas, Puerto Rico, Montreal and Quebec, Canada. He was well traveled in the states, including trips to the Pecan Hill Hunt Club in South Carolina, the 1992 Super Bowl in Minneapolis, Minnesota,New York City, Boston, a Catamaran trip down the Intercoastal Waterway and Colorado.

Mel and Gail had a vacation home at Surfside Beach and he spent many hours sitting on the porch sharing wisdom with anyone who could come and sit for a spell.

Mel and Gail were married in 1958 and owned houses in three states, moving nine times from Hickory, North Carolina to West Palm Beach, Florida. Finally settling in Concord, NC, he loved to cut grass, plow and tend a garden, and add to his extensive power tool collection. He drove a white Silverado pick up truck, probably his one true love in his later years. He was well known at Lowe's Home Improvement, his doctor and dentist offices for his quick smile and deliveries of “OMG Donuts”.

In every community, the family joined the local Baptist Church, he served as Sunday School teacher, deacon, choir member and chaperone. In recent years as a member of McGill Baptist Church in Concord, NC, Mel was a leader in the annual church BBQ, only handing off the BBQ “folder” to a younger team member in the last two months. Mel was also active in the alcohol and drug addiction community, always willing to help and share his experience and knowledge.

In addition to his parents, Mel was preceded in death by sister Virginia Howell Russell Waugh. He is survived by his wife, Gail Cordell Howell (and on July 13, 2024, Mel and Gail celebrated 66 years of marriage), and daughter Gina Smith, son Chuck, wife Karen. Four grandchildren Hannah Brooks (Tyler Wiethorn), Sarah Smith (Jon Hafer), Elizabeth Welch ( Thomas Welch), and Bryce Howell (Valentina Romero). Great grandchildren, Ellis Smith Brooks, Hayes Dean Wiethorn and Lane Selvey Welch. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and lifelong friends who have been with him through countless life experiences.

A celebration of life for Mel will be held on Thursday, October 10, 2024 at 2:30 p.m. at McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord NC, 28027. The family will receive friends at McGill from 1:00 to 2:30 with a BBQ to follow at 6513 Weddington Road, Concord, NC. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.

The family is grateful for the support of Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Cabarrus and most grateful for the care at the Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis.

The family asked that memorials be made to McGill Baptist Church, 5300 Poplar Tent Road, Concord NC, 28027 or Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Cabarrus at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28021.

Forest Lawn West in Charlotte is serving the family.