Vivian L. Howell

On the evening of March 24, 2012 Vivian Howell transitioned from her earthly home to her heavenly home.

She was born on November 24, 1915 to Midas LeRoy and Ola McKinley of Pitts, Ga. Following graduation from Pitts High School she enrolled in a hotel and restaurant services training program located at the Oleander Hotel in Melbourne, Fl. Upon completion she returned to the Pitts area and married Joseph Reuben Howell to whom she was married for seventy-seven years. Reuben and Vivian’s children are Helen Kittrell (Broward) of Tallahassee, Kenneth Howell (Jeanette) of Valparaiso, Fl, and Kaye Carpenter (Mike) of Monticello, Fl.

For many years she was a stay at home mother and after the family relocated to Tallahassee she enrolled at Lively Technical School and for many years assisted well-known pediatrician Dr. Ernest Ekermeyer in his medical practice. She became quite knowledgeable about children’s development, physical needs, illnesses and medications. This knowledge proved invaluable to her children and grandchildren as they cared for their own children. Later she worked at the Immanuel Baptist Church Child Care Center and at the time of her retirement she was employed by the Sunshine State Credit Union. Vivian, a born again Christian, was a very active member of Immanuel Baptist Church for over sixty-five years. Early in her membership she taught Sunday School classes for preschoolers, later on for youth, and for many years taught a senior adult ladies’ class. She also served on various committees, was involved in outreach and witnessing, and taught children in Vacation Bible School for numerous summers. Younger generations of the family have benefitted from her spiritual influence and guidance. An avid reader, she enjoyed reading the Bible, historical novels, and commentaries by current political figures. She stayed current on national and world affairs and enjoyed discussing them. She enjoyed cooking and was best known for her fried chicken, fresh vegetables, cornbread, and chocolate cake. Above all she enjoyed spending time with her family.

In addition to her children she is survived by five grandchildren, Terri Gross (Mark), Brent Kittrell (Pam), Diana McKeown (Cliff), Will Spencer (Sherry) all of Tallahassee and Heath Howell (Julie) of Valparaiso. She is also survived by 12 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Vivian is predeceased by her husband Reuben Howell, brothers Keith McKinley and Norman McKinley, and a granddaughter Staten Spencer.

Funeral service will be held 2:00 pm Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at Immanuel Baptist Church, 2351 Mahan Dr. The family will receive friends from 6 – 8 pm Tuesday at Culley’s MeadowWood Funeral Home, 700 Timberlane Road . In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her memory to Big Bend Hospice, 1723 Mahan Center Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32308 or to the building fund at Immanuel Baptist Church.

Arrangements are under the direction of Culley's MeadowWood Funeral Home in Tallahassee, Florida.