Howell, Shirley Smith

Shirley Jeane Smith Howell joined the hallelujah choir on Sunday, November 6, 2016. Those there to greet her included her father and mother, Grayton and Ruby Smith; brothers, Stancil, Jink, Paul Edward; and sister, Josephine.

Shirley loved serving others and was always ready to provide a song, a hug or a caramel cake. Shirley was a well known local musician who performed at the Fiddle and Banjo Club many times over the years. A self-taught musician, she played many different instruments by ear including the piano, guitar, mandolin, and fiddle. Recently, it was the autoharp that her husband made for her that she reached for most often. Many people were blessed by the sound of her sweet voice.

Her family was her life. She and her husband Galen shared a true love story. During their 53 years together they built two homes, operated several businesses and raised their two daughters. She was a loving mother and grandmother and was always ready with a hug and a smile. Called “Grams” or “Mimi”, she will be greatly missed by the grandchildren, with whom she shared a mutual adoration. A true Proverbs 31 wife.

She is survived by her husband, Galen; daughters, Wendy Howell Tackett, Salem, Kim (Keith) Pannell, Troutville; grandchildren, Galen Jacob (Allie) Tackett, Clarksville, Ky., Cassidy Jeane, Joseph, and Samuel Pannell, Troutville; one great-granddaughter, Macy; she is also survived by sisters, brothers, and brothers-in-law, Clinton Smith, Sunnyside, Lodis and Bob Sickey, Pilot, Barbara and Jack Perdue, McCoy, Dallas and James Akers, Shawsville, Michael Smith, Prices Fork and Janice Vanhoozier, Christiansburg; special friends Dot, Fawn, Malen, Bob Maiden, and many others. She was loved by her Jeters Chapel Family. Very special gratitude to Dr. Sanjoy Saha, Dr. William Fintel, and Dr. Ezekial Jones, the MICU and 6W staff at Lewis Gale Medical Center.

Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, November 10, 2016 at 11 a.m. in the McCoy Funeral Home Chapel with the pastor Paul Stover officiating. Interment will follow in the Smith Family Cemetery, Norris Run. Flowers would be appreciated or memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society,2840 Electric Road, Suite 106A, Roanoke, Va. 24018. Friends may call anytime after 2 p.m. Wednesday, and the family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday evening at McCoy Funeral Home, 150 Country Club Drive SW, Blacksburg.