Obituary of Charles (Babe) Howell

Charles David “Babe” Howell, age 84, passed away Saturday, May 4th, at Mission Hospital-St. Joseph Campus, Asheville, surrounded by his family. Born in a Mill village in Monroe on June 25, 1928 to Claude and Ollie Howell, Charles left Benton Heights High School at seventeen years of age to join the war effort. He served the United States Navy honorably from 1945 to 1949. Howell was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic Pacific, American Theatre and Good Conduct Medal. He commented on his years in the Navy as forever impacting and molding his life. The Navy is where Coach Howell was first introduced to organized football. Returning home to Monroe he played on a high school championship football team inspired by Coach Jim Gudger. Howell received college football and baseball scholarships to Western Carolina University. Jim Gudger coached Howell again in football and baseball at the collegiate level, along with fellow Monroe native, Tom Young. Howell considered Gudger his greatest mentor in life. At his beloved alma mater, his years as a left-handed pitcher earned him the nickname “Babe”. Charles “Babe” Howell completed Bachelors and Master Degrees from Western Carolina University in physical education and administration. Howell enjoyed coaching many sports over the years including: football, baseball, wrestling, swimming, tennis, track, and girls’ basketball. He began his coaching career at Sylva High School in 1954-1957; East Fannin High School, Blue Ridge, Georgia, 1957-1961; Cherokee High School, Canton, Georgia, 1961-1965; Sylva-Webster/Smoky Mountain, Sylva, 1965-1990; and Avery County High School, Newland, 1994- 1997. Babe coached seven state high school championship teams--five in football and two in baseball. He was the first high school coach in NC to win a football and baseball championship in one school year. Coach Howell retired in 1997 as the winningest high school football and baseball coach in North Carolina history. After his retirement he volunteered and mentored numerous teams, coaches, and players until his death. He served as an athletic director over the course of 44 years in Georgia and North Carolina. Howell was inducted into eleven Halls of Fame in North Carolina and Georgia, including the NC Sports Hall of Fame in Raleigh. Babe lived a full and adventurous life. He had numerous hobbies including a passion for travel, photography, painting houses, the outdoors, walking and hiking, drinking good coffee, and eating good food. Babe was devoted to his family and made a deeply positive impact in all of our lives. Howell was preceded in death by his first wife, Betty Lou Cowan Howell; two younger brothers, Bruce S. Howell of Monroe and Ottice Lee Howell of Charlotte; one baby sister, Betty Gene Howell, and two infant step-granddaughters, Ansley Claire and Claire Elizabeth Horney. He is also survived by his wife Peggy; one younger brother, Larry M. Howell and his wife Mary, Mint Hill; and, two daughters: Ann Mabry, and husband Mike of Marion, NC; and, Marthe Howell Marlor of Panama City Beach, FL; two grandchildren: Krissy Mabry of Washington, DC and Casey Mabry and his wife, Brooke of Marion, NC; and three stepsons: Martin Horney IV and his wife, Leslie of Newland, NC; Matthew Horney and his wife, Amy, of Cranberry, NC; and, Mitchell Horney and his wife Becca of Crossnore, NC; and, seven step-grandchildren Harrison, Chandler, Ethan, Elli, Maddie, Ayla, Mattux, and one great-grandchild, John Christopher Mabry. A Memorial service for Charles David “Babe” Howell will be held on Wednesday, May 8, at 6:00pm at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in Newland. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home. Military rites will be provided at 4:00pm at the Town Square in Newland. On Saturday, May 11, at 4:00pm, a Memorial Service will be held at the Smoky Mountain High School gymnasium in Sylva The family will receive friends beginning two hours prior to the Memorial Service in the cafeteria at the High School, please enter through the front entrance of the High School. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216, or the American Cancer Society, PO Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla 73123-1718 in Babes Honor. Appalachian Funeral Services is assisting the family with arrangements and has a registry available at www.appalachianfuneralservices.com