Mr. Thurman Francis Howell, 87, of Mocksville, died on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2018 at his home, Somerset Court of Mocksville.

He was born April 23, 1931 in Farmington to the late Robert Lanier and Clyde Vene Thomas Howell. He was brought up in Davie County on a farm with his 9 siblings. He graduated from Farmington High School in 1952, where he was senior class president and voted most talented, best all-around and most talkative by his classmates. He attended Piedmont Bible College in Winston-Salem where he majored in Bible history and met the love of his life, the late Louise Griffith Howell to whom he was married to on June 1, 1957. They were married for 56 years before she died in 2013. He was a proud 34-year retiree from the City of Winston-Salem where he worked in the financial and risk management departments as a risk management analyst. He would consider his biggest accomplishment as his deep and unwavering love for the Lord, his family, and friends. He loved to garden, fish, and take walks outside and on the beach. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren and playing bingo.

He was also preceded in death by: a son, Timothy Dale Howell; and 9 siblings, Tom Howell, Robert Howell Jr., John Howell, LeRoy Howell, Roger Howell, Geneva Smith, Magdalene Phillips, Hope Spillman and Martha Williams.

Survivors: a son, Keith Gordon Howell and wife Cynthia of Winston-Salem; 6 grandchildren, Jason Keith Howell (Angie) of Chicago, Michelle Howell Hancock (Kenneth) of Huntersville, Christen Howell Thompson (John) of Denver, Joshua Robert Howell of New Orleans, La., Timothy Blair Howell and Collin Smith, both of Huntersville; 7 great-grandchildren,  Gracie Thompson, Emma Howell, Tripp Hancock, Chelsea Howell, Weston Thompson, Liam Howell and Shelbie Thompson; 2 special individuals who are like family, Jennifer Helsley of Charlotte and David Helsley of Winston-Salem; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A memorial service celebrating his life will be conducted at 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 4 at North Point Baptist Church, Winston-Salem, with Pastor Skip Furrow and the Rev. Timothy Wolf officiating. The family will receive friends at the church one hour prior to the service.

Memorials: Activity Fund of Somerset of Mocksville, 150 Ken Dwiggins Drive, Mocksville; or North Point Baptist Church.

Condolences: www.eatonfuneralservice.com.