Barbara Lee Howell (80) passed away on Wednesday, September 11th, 2024, after a brief, but fierce battle with pancreatic cancer. Barbara was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and a cherished friend to many. Her dedication to those she loved knew no boundaries, and you could always count on the comfort of her warm smile and compassionate embrace, whether she had known you 5 minutes, or 5 years.

Barbara spent her childhood tending tobacco and cotton fields with her siblings in Johnston County, leading to her stellar work ethic as an adult.  She married the love of her life, James (Jay) Howell, and together they raised three daughters. Following her retirement, she found peace in enjoying the home they built.

Her final months of life were filled with her closest family and friends surrounding her with so much peace and love.

Barbara was preceded in death by Albert Lee (Father), Eula Mae Lee (Mother), Jay Howell (Husband), Debra Goodwin (Daughter), Hazel Johnson (Sister), and Gaynelle McLamb (Sister).

Surviving loved ones are her brother, Earl Lee, daughters Tammy Hawkins, and Karen Tripp (Dorothy), grandchildren David Barnett (Angie), Deborah Byrd (Wendy), Sonya Creech (Jonathan), Michelle Moore (Chaz), Kerrie Gerdes (Jay), Jordan Hawkins, Dylan Capps, Summer Penny (Jordon), and 13 beautiful great-grandchildren.

A visitation will be held September 14th at Parrish Funeral Home in Selma at 1pm. The grave-side service will follow at 2:30pm at Sullivan Cemetery, located at (approximately) 174 Sullivan Road, Selma, North Carolina 27576.