John Robert Howell

On Sunday October 9, 2016, John Robert Howell, age 79, of Oxford, NC, went home to be with his Lord following a brief illness. Born May 3, 1937, in Greenville, NC, Bob was raised in a loving home with his sisters, Nancy and Patsy. Youth sports played an important and developmental part in his youth on highly successful teams. He was a four sport standout at Greenville High School. His success led to his selection to play in the East West All Star Basketball Game in Greensboro. Bob attended Louisburg College briefly on a basketball scholarship but later returned to East Carolina College (now ECU) where he graduated and began his lifelong career as an educator. As a teacher/coach/driver's education instructor/principal, he served at Chicod School in Pitt County, Tarboro High School in Edgecombe County, D.N. Hix, C.G. Credle, and West Oxford Elementary schools in Granville County. In 1986, Bob began his tenure as a system level administrator in Granville County until his retirement in 1992. He also taught at Vance Granville Community College serving as an instructor for the Effective Teacher Training Course. Bob was recognized as Granville County's Outstanding Young Educator in 1970. He continued serving his community as a member of the Kiwanis Club of Oxford and served as President in 1977. Bob served His Lord and Savior as a member of Oxford Baptist Church and later as a member of Oxford Presbyterian Church. At Oxford Presbyterian, he was an active member of the Men's Fellowship and especially enjoyed helping prepare the Brunswick Stew each fall. He was an Elder and served as coordinator of Ushers and Chair of the Worship Committee. On May 15, 2016, Bob was recognized by the Presbytery of New Hope as an Outstanding Older Adult. The event had great meaning for Bob and his family and served as a fitting recognition for his life of Christian service. Remaining to cherish Bob's memory are his wife of twenty years, June Blythe Howell of the home; his daughters, Suellen Howell McCauley (Vince) of Chapel Hill, NC, and Nancy Howell Wilkinson (Chance) of Oxford, NC; step-children, Gina Blair Dixon (Jeff) of Summerfield, NC, Jill Blair Talley (Bobby), and Marshall Blair (Sheila) all of Oxford, NC; grandchildren, Abigail and Maxwell McCauley, Alexander, Matthew, and Emily Wilkinson; step-grandchildren, Phillip and Blair Dixon, Trey Talley, and Bryce Blair. He is also missed by his beloved cat, Boo Boo. Bob is also survived by his sister, Nancy Howell Toney of Burlington, NC; and his Aunt Frances Carawan Edwards of Simpson, NC. He was predeceased by his parents, Robert Edward (Yank) Howell and Rena Carawan Howell; and sister Patsy Gayle Howell all of Greenville, NC. Visitation will be held at Gentry-Newell - Vaughan Funeral Home in Oxford, NC on Saturday, October 15 from 7:00 until 8:30 PM. Funeral services will be held at Oxford Presbyterian Church on Sunday, October 16 at 3:00 PM by the Reverend Alan Koeneke. Burial will follow at Meadowview Memorial Park in Oxford. Memorials may be made to Oxford Presbyterian Church, PO Box 652, Oxford, NC 27565. The family is being served by Gentry-Newell - Vaughan Funeral Home. Online condolences: www.HallWynne.com