Obituary for Rev. Tony Howell

REV. TONY PAUL HOWELL, age 82, of Eastman, GA, passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Atrium Health Navicent Medical Center in Macon.

 Funeral services will be held at 11:00AM Thursday, July 30, in Southerland Funeral Chapel, with Rev. Trent Dykes officiating, with interment in Woodlawn Cemetery.

“And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!”” Romans 10:15 NKJV 

Tony was born on July 7, 1944, in Wildwood, Florida. He faithfully served as a Free Will Baptist minister for many years, beginning his ministry in 1972. Even after retiring from full-time ministry, he continued filling pulpits whenever he was needed. His greatest desire was to share the love of Jesus Christ, often preaching about humility and loving one another as Christ loves us. His family finds comfort in knowing he is now resting safely in the arms of his precious Savior. Known affectionately as “Bro. Tony,” “Tony,” “Papa Tony,” “Daddy,” and “Bones,” Tony loved his family deeply and treasured every opportunity to spend time with them. For more than 50 years, Tony owned and operated Howell’s Painting. He took great pride in his work and was known for his attention to detail, earning the trust of customers who frequently requested him for additional projects.

Tony enjoyed traveling to the Great Smoky Mountains, often making the trip twice a year, and he also enjoyed trips to St. Simons Island. He loved watching SonLife Broadcasting Network, Westerns, classic movies, Georgia Bulldogs football, Atlanta Braves baseball, and Atlanta Falcons football. He enjoyed playing golf with his son, Danny, his longtime friend, James Dixon, and many other family members and friends. Music was one of Tony’s greatest joys. He loved playing the guitar and singing gospel hymns before delivering God’s Word. He and his wife enjoyed spending time together searching for bargains at Goodwill stores, watching Wheel of Fortune, and reading the Bible. Above all, Tony loved the Lord, faithfully served Him throughout his life, and dearly loved his family and church family. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Howell and Susie Strickland Howell; Sons, Toby Anthony Howell, Danny Paul Howell, and Timothy Paul Howell; grandson, Jonathan Lynn Tripp; brothers, Gerald Howell, Gene Howell, Steve Howell, and Mickey Howell; sisters, Willene Howell Carrigg, Susan Howell Chapman, Judy Mae Howell Brown, and Jo Howell Dunn; brother-in-law, David Carrigg; sister-in-law, Janelle Faulk Howell; and mother-in-law, Mary Anne McDaniel.

He is survived by his loving wife of 63 years, Jewel Mullis Howell; daughters, Debbie Howell Sheffield and Mary Ann Howell Horne (Kevin), both of Eastman; nine grandchildren, Casey Anthony Howell, Danny Howell Jr. (Marli), David Andrew Howell (Felicia), Anna Horne Holland (Lance), Gina Horne, Kara Howell Tatum (Brian), Shelby Horne, Joshua Tony Howell, Gracie Sheffield, and Amber Beck (Jason); eleven great-grandchildren, Tucker Howell, Breanna Howell, Raelei Fletcher, Branch Howell, West Holland, Addison Sheffield, Gray Howell, Lane Holland, Ellie Holland, Grayson Beck, and Ava Grace Beck; sisters-in-law Alice Mullis Wimpey and Florenda Yawn Howell; brothers-in-law Homer Vaughn, Terry Dunn, and Hank Chapman; along with numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and friends. 

The family will receive friends in Southerland Funeral Chapel from 10:00AM-11:00AM Thursday, July 30, and may be contacted at the residence of his wife, Jewel Howell, 22 Beechwood Drive, Eastman. In addition to flowers, contributions in Tony’s memory can be made to Debbie Griffin Mission Fund at First Freewill Baptist Church, % Durward Williams, 4266 Abbeville Hwy., Eastman, GA 31023.