Reverend Virgle J. Howell
Reverend Virgle J. Howell
October 8, 2014
Reverend Virgle J. Howell, 89, passed away peacefully, on Oct. 8, 2014 surrounded by his family.
Born in Duncan, Oklahoma, he moved to California in 1951. He lived in Salinas and Hollister, Ca. before moving to Golden, Miss. in 1984. He was the oldest of 11 children of Lon and Irene Howell. Rev. Howell served in the Army during World War II in the 82nd Battalion in the Battery “C” 458th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion and the Battery “B” 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion. While in the 82nd Battalion, he made several parachute jumps behind enemy lines and was awarded the WWII Victory Medal. After being Honorably Discharged from the Army, he became an electrician by trade. In 1961, Rev. Howell was instrumental in founding Apostolic Full Gospel Church of Christ, where he was pastor for 20 years before moving to Golden, Miss,. where he could focus more on missions and continue to pastor. In 1981, he founded RhemaChristianCenter with the focus on training ministers and missionaries. He made many mission trips to Central America, occasionally flying his own plane. Rev. Howell had a love for the Philippines and was an integral part in establishing Rhema Christian Training CenterPhilippines in 1983 where hundreds of students have been and are continuing to be trained for the ministry. Rev. Howell loved people, never met a stranger and loved Jesus. His kindness was far-reaching and known by many.
Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, October 15, at Deaton Funeral Home Chapel, Belmont, Miss. with Ed Garcia officiating. Burial will be in BelmontMemoryGarden, Belmont, Miss.
He is survived by his loving wife of 69 years, Lucille Howell, Golden, Miss.; three children, Sharon Brooks and husband, Bill, Los Banos, Ca., Susan Garcia and husband, Edward, Golden, Miss. and Michael Howell and wife, Barbara, Kapolei, Hawaii; mother of his children, Toni Howell, Hollister, Ca.; eight grandchildren, Bryan Brooks and wife, Jamie, Waco, Tx., Brendan Brooks and wife, Anna, Fresno, Ca., Taryn Hopper and husband, Lawson, Birmingham, Brett Brooks, Los Banos, Ca., Damaris Hamilton and wife, Ryan, Birmingham, Seth Howell and wife, Sarah, Jedediah Howell and Luke Howell, Hollister, Ca. He was the proud great-grandfather of eight children, Sophia, Piper, Lawson, Judah, Finn, Ethan, Eliana and Adelyn Rose.
He was preceded in death by his parents and ten brothers and sisters.
Pallbearers will be Ryan Hamilton, Lawson Hopper, Billy Ray Horn and Michael Howell.
Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, October 14, at Deaton Funeral Home, Belmont, Miss. and until service time on Wednesday.
