Howell, Elbert Clell

Elbert Clell Howell, 79, of Radford, passed away on Wednesday, July 30, 2008.

He served in the United States Navy from 1945 to 1949 and joined the U.S. Air Force with Assignments in New York, New Mexico, Fairbanks, Alaska, Shreveport, La., and Rantoul, Ill., for Weather Forecaster School, Lake Charles, La., and Phalsbourg AFB, France. He retired from the U.S. Air Force as a Staff Sergeant in 1959. He later retired as a machinist from Lynchburg Foundry in Radford. He was an Ordained Elder at Fairlawn Presbyterian Church.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Elbert Frank and Lou Holiday Howell. Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Ramona Best Howell, of Radford; three sons and daughters-in-law, Col (Ret.) USAF Richard Clell and Dianne Howell, of Williamsburg, TSgt (Ret.) USAF Franklin Kent and Jo Howell, of Aurora, Colo., and Raymond Cecil and Sandi Howell, of Salem; daughter and son-in-law, Sarita Ramona and David Davis, of Durham, N.C.; nine grandchildren, 1Lt USAF Brennan James Howell and his wife, Junie, Holly, Ryan, Samantha, Miranda, Sierra, Addison, Kellan Howell and Shannon Doss; and one brother and sister-in-law, William K. and Barbara Howell, of Richmond. He was affectionately known as “Big Daddy” by the children at his wife’s day care.

Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Saturday, August 2, 2008, at Fairlawn Presbyterian Church with the Rev. Terry Woodard officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Fairlawn Presbyterian Capitol Improvement Fund, 6900 Pulaski Ave., Radford, Va. 24141, in memory of Elbert Clell Howell. Interment will follow in Highland Memory Gardens Mausoleum in Dublin.

The family will receive friends Friday, August 1, 2008, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mullins Funeral Home. The Howell family is in the care of Mullins Funeral Home & Crematory in Radford. www.mullinsfuneralhome.com.