Mrs. Katherine Pettus Howell's Obituary
Katherine Pettus Howell of Eastaboga, Alabama, passed away on Saturday, December 13th, at the age of 75. As her only living child, I am the one with the privilege to write her obituary.
In looking at cookie-cutter templates for guidance, my question is “How?”. How can I explain 43 years of constant love and support in a couple paragraphs? How can I convey unfailing presence through all of life’s seminal moments, and all the little seemingly inconsequential things in between?
And how can we make sure those honored in them know our feelings before they’re gone? Could it have been the last time I mixed her dressing recipe under her instruction this Thanksgiving morning? Or by the way the Christmas lights shone that I put up for her the last time? Can those acts of love be enough when words often fail us? I can only hope.
In this fragile life of uncertainty, balance is one of the only things that makes sense. Without times of anger, how can we really know peace? Without the bitter tears of sorrow, how can we appreciate the richness of laughter? Without first having someone so prevalently in our lives, how can we truly realize the impact of her absence until she’s gone.
No matter our effort, it’s impossible not to feel as though an imperfectly great parent is someone taken for granted until her arms are no longer available to hold or be held.
Katherine had several names of endearment over her life. Among them - Mom, Gamma, Gal (as a child), Aunt Hassie and Aunt Kathy, which were referred to regularly by so many who loved her. Mom was at once a quiet yet talkative person, meek and gentle in spirit while always ready to cut up and joke with the ones she held close.
She is survived by and loved her husband of 51 years, Edward General Howell, her son Matthew Brent Howell, and she really loved her grandson Ryland Fletcher Howell. She is also survived by her brother and Reverend William Clyde Pettus and her sister Glenda Faye Carter with her husband John along with many dear nieces, nephews and in-laws.
Kathy was a loving member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Talladega, Alabama. She also made many friends over almost 30 years of service at AOD Federal Credit Union in Bynum, Alabama.
Above and beyond all, she loved her God and placed her faith in him through the sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ. Katherine is accepted into the heavenly and loving arms of her mother, Florence Elizabeth Pettus, her father, Clarence Pettus, her sister-in-law Virginia Macon Pettus and she is at long last united with her eldest son, Edward Bryan Howell, who passed away at birth, among many other loved ones already passed on.
Our mothers are not replaceable. There’s no going back, only adapting to a new way of life without them until we can meet again. Please keep Katherine’s family in your prayers as we forage our path forward and honor her memory by keeping in your hearts the love that she so freely showed.
For any friends and loved ones wishing to pay respects, visitation will be held at Talladega Funeral Home on Thursday, December 18th, from 6 PM until 8 PM. Funeral services will be conducted by Dr. William Clyde Pettus and Reverend Allen Jinks on Friday, December 19th, at 1 PM at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church. Mrs. Howell will lie in state at the church prior to the service from 12 noon until 1 PM. Burial will immediately proceed at Mt. Olive Baptist Church in Ohatchee, Alabama.
Pallbearers will be Trey Carter, Jason Crane, Randy Howell, Parker Molden, Clint Pettus and Darryl White.
Talladega Funeral Home will direct the service.
What’s your fondest memory of Katherine?
What’s a lesson you learned from Katherine?
Share a story where Katherine's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Katherine you’ll never forget.
How did Katherine make you smile?
