Nelda Janet Howard Howell

Nelda Janet Howard Howellage 80of ClaytonGeorgiapassed away on WednesdayJanuary 172024 surrounded by her family.   

Born in 1943 in DeridderLANelda was the daughter of the late Croff and Helen Jones Howard.  After graduating from high school in 1961Nelda attended Georgia Southwestern College (Georgia Southwestern State University) and received her associate's degree as a Registered Nurse in 1965. She married her high school sweetheart in December of 1962. After collegeNelda served area hospitals as a nurse in AlbanyTifton And Ocilla.  Later in her careershe taught in the nursing programs at Wiregrass Technical College (previously Ben Hill Irwin Tech) and Middle Georgia Tech.  She also served as the plant nurse prior to moving into Human Resources/Management at Delco Remy in FitzgeraldGA. Finallyprior to her retirementNelda worked with Linda Kaye Pope ConsultingOcillaGA as a computer software consultant. 

Nelda was gifted musicallyand sang and competed in the Chorus during her high school years.  She continued to share her musical gift by playing piano and directing the choir at Satilla Baptist Church.  Nelda loved her family and friends devotedly and was always eager to host them for any occasion requiring a get-together.  She enjoyed many years of riding horsesmotorcycle riding and camping with her family.  Her personal hobbies were varied and included readingmoviescalligraphypoetryneedlepointcrewel and crocheting.  Her final passion was painting and she received so much joy by gifting her art to family and friends.  It has been said many times over that she excelled and mastered anything she decided to tackle. 

In addition to her parentsNelda was preceded in death by her daughterHelen Lynn; both of her sistersBecky Lee Howard Tillman and Linda Carol Howard Totty; and beloved AuntSarah Jones Deleza. 

Survivors include her husband of 61 yearsNelson (Smiley) Howell; daughters Alane Howell Payne (Tim)ColumbusGA and Lea Howell Coe (John)CobbGA; grandchildren John Daniel KingAbbie King Nowell (Chet)Ashley PayneArianna PayneAlexandra Payne Sunnerville (Ryan)Jordan Payne and Emily Payne; great-grand children Teagan Sunnerville and Liam Hawkins; as well as many niecesnephewsbrothers and sisters in lawsand a host of loving friends.

The family will receive friends on Saturday afternoonJanuary 202024between 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm at Hunter Funeral Home. A memorial service celebrating her life will immediately follow at 2:00 PM in the chapel at Hunter Funeral Home with interment at Battle Branch Cemetery. 

In lieu of flowersthe family respectfully suggests memorial donations be made in Nelda’s memory to Columbus Hospice of Georgia & Alabama7020 Macon RoadColumbusGA 31909 or to Battle Branch Baptist Church cemetery fundWarworman RoadClaytonGA.

During this timeHunter Funeral Home is honored to serve the family of Nelda Howell. Feel free to share your sympathies with the family through the provided website:  www.hunterfuneralhomega.com.