Naomi Ruth Howell

She was born on December 17, 1924 in Athens, Tennessee and moved to Cameron Hill in Chattanooga where she spent her childhood and high school years, graduating from Kirkman High School in 1943.

For 60 years she lived her life-long passion of teaching children in Sunday School, spanning years at First Calvary, Woodland Park, Concord, and Brainerd Baptist churches. In recent years, she was a faithful member of the Friendship Sunday School Class at Ridgedale Baptist Church.

Daughter of Rev. William M. and Mary Ellen Bragg, she was preceded in death by her husband, Shirley Weston Howell. This loving mother is survived by daughter, Denise Howell Woodson and husband John of Richmond, Viriginia; daughter, Jeana Howell of Chattanooga and many nieces and nephews. She was also known as Mama Ruth or Ms. Ruth by young and old over many years.

Honorary pallbearers will be members of the Friendship Sunday School Class of Ridgedale Baptist Church.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday at 3 PM at the East Brainerd Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home with Dr. Bill Owens officiating. Interment will be in Lakewood Memory Gardens South. The family will receive friends on Saturday, January 28, 2012 from 4 PM to 7 PM and on Sunday, January 29, 2012 from 2 PM to 3 PM at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Baptist Children’s Home, 6623 Lee Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421, Volunteers in Medicine, 5705 Marlin Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37411 or to the Kidney Foundation, 744 McCallie Avenue, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastBrainerdChapel.com Arrangements are by the Chattanooga Funeral Home Crematory and Florist, East Brainerd Chapel, 8214 East Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37421.