Roy Dale Howell, 89, passed away on Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo. Born on March 18, 1935 in Amory, he was a son to A.H. and Lorett Tubb Howell. Dale was a 1954 graduate of Amory High School where he was part of Little Ten Champions in basketball and track. He married the former Beverly Vaughan on June 1, 1956. Dale began his career with the Frisco Railroad as a brakeman and retired as conductor with Burlington Northern–Santa Fe having 38 years total with the railroad. He was a very protective father, and he followed all his children’s sports activities; and as grandchildren and great grandchildren came along, he followed their sports activities with the same loud and proud support. If you drove down Vaughn Road, Dale could either be seen on his lawn mower which he loved to do or sitting on his porch waving at each passerby. Dale loved trains and he had a huge cap collection and was always looking to add to it. He was a faithful member of Christian Chapel Church of Christ.
Funeral services will be at 4 p.m. on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at Christian Chapel Church of Christ with Ministers Jim Chamblee, Derrick Maranto, and Bobby Cleveland officiating. Burial will be in the New Hope Cemetery. Cleveland-Moffett Funeral Home has been entrusted with the arrangements.
In addition to his wife of 68 years, Beverly Howell, he is survived by two sons, Vaughn Dale Howell (Leisa) of Hatley and Michael Howell (Stephanie) of Memphis, TN; two daughters, Cathie Wilkinson (Bryan) of Hatley; and Susan Willis (Walt) of Madison; grandchildren, Callie Northington (Levi), Caroline Boock (Wes), Wes Wilkinson, Aynslee Willis, Abigail Wiedower (Bryce), Audrey Howell (Grant Dale), and Whitt Willis; great grandchildren, Darby Northington, Landry Northington, and Wells Boock.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Fagin Howell and Earl Howell; and sister, Nell English; and grandson, Lance Tyler Howell.
Pallbearers will be Levi Northington, Wes Boock, Wes Wilkinson, Bryce Wiedower, Grant Dale, Whitt Willis, and Alan Pearson. Honorary pallbearers will be former employees of the Frisco Railroad.
Visitation will be from 2 until 4 p.m. at the church.
Memorials may be made to Christian Chapel Church of Christ, 60127 Vaughn Road, Amory, MS 38821 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
