Jo Edna Howell was born October 11, 1934, to Robert Lee Smith and Pearl King Smith in Selmer, TN. She was a 1953 graduate of Selmer High School. On February 21, 1953, she married Raymond Earl Howell who preceded her in death August 5, 1986.
She was a member of Hornsby United Methodist Church. She was also a long-time member of the Hornsby Ruritans Club, serving as President or Vice President several times. She also served as Zone Governor for several other Ruritan Clubs.
She retired January 1, 1997, from Western Mental State after more than 21 years as a Housekeeping Supervisor. She also retired January 1, 2013, from Hornsby Water District after serving as a part time secretary for 37 and a half years.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by 3 daughters, Brenda Joyce Watson of Hillville, TN, Beverly Gail Howell of Knoxville, Patricia Ann Baker of Hornsby, a son Jimmy Dale Howell of Hornsby. 2 brothers, infant James Edward Smith, Billy Smith of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, 2 half-brothers, Carl Smith, Dock Smith, and Warren King all of Selmer, 4 half-sisters. Ollie Price, Erbie Mullins, Ethel Hicks, and Flossie King all of Selmer, TN.
She is survived by a son-in-law, Jimmy Baker of Hornsby, TN. 5 grandchildren, Danny Lynn Watson (Beth) and Kevin Watson all of Hillville, TN, Jeremy Howell of Knoxville, TN, Beth Pyle of Johnson City, TN, and Lindsey Wilkerson (Chris) of Hornsby, TN. 6 great-grandchildren, Raven Watson, Emma Watson, Chayce Watson, Briana Watson, Angelina Watson all of Hillville, TN, and Baker Wilkerson of Hornsby, TN.
