Lillion Mae Watkins Howell

View Funeral Webcast View Video Tribute Lillion Mae Watkins Howell, former resident of Columbia, died Saturday, March 17, 2012 at Decatur General Hospital in Decatur, Alabama. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2:00 p.m. at Oakes & Nichols with Rev. Bob Adair officiating. Burial will follow in Polk Memorial Gardens. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Notes of sympathy may be sent to www.oakesandnichols.com. A native of Elkmont, Alabama, she was the daughter of the late Kirby and Eva Mae Street Watkins. On July 25, 1942 she married Frank Clymore Howell, long-time Captain with the Columbia Fire Department. Mr. Howell died April 16, 1965. In 1980, Mrs. Howell moved to Flint, Alabama where she lived before relocating to Decatur, Alabama where she resided until her death. She enjoyed being with her family, especially her grandchildren, was well-known as an excellent cook and was an avid gardener. Also, a very talented seamstress, she made many quilts for her family members over the years. A long-time member of Highland Park Baptist Church in Columbia, she was a member of First Baptist Church of Austinville in Decatur, Alabama. Mrs. Howell loved the Lord and served Him all her life in varied personal ministries. Survivors include two sons, Jerry Owen (Debbie) Howell of Culleoka; Frank Clymore (Rosalind) Howell, Jr. of Lebanon; two daughters, Pat Howell Hargrove of Decatur, AL, Susan Howell Lathrop of Decatur, AL; ten grandchildren, Tracy Denise Howell and Thomas Chadwick "Chad" Howell, both of Columbia; Christy (Jean Pierre`) Bourtin, Felicia (Toby) Beasley, Katie (Ben) Grimm, Geri Frances "Frannie" (Ken) Harris, all of Decatur, AL; Kelly Elise Howell of Watertown, TN; Robyn Meredith (Mike) Foster of Springfield, TN; Catherine Lathrop of Birmingham, AL; Elizabeth "Betsy" (Randal) Walker of Douglasville, GA; twenty-three great-grandchildren; six brothers, David Watkins of Nashville; John Nunley Watkins of Athens, AL; Glenn Watkins, Tony Kirby Watkins, Bobby Lee Watkins, Boss Logan Watkins, all of Elkmont, AL; two sisters, Patricia Ann Claunch of Ardmore, AL and Mable Eloise Daniels of Texas. In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by two grandchildren, Jerry O. "Dinker" Howell, Jr. and Frank C. "Bear" Howell, III; five brothers, Bunyan Edward Watkins, Thomas Earl Watkins, Andrew Lee Watkins, Joe Henry Watkins, Sam Ray Watkins; and three sisters, Omie Hood, Julie Cain, and Wannie Beulah Watkins; and son-in-law, Jerry Hargrove.. Grandsons, great-grandsons, and grand-sons-in-law will serve as pallbearers.