Stella Howard

Stella Bell Howard passed away in Tibbie, AL on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. A native of Wagarville and a resident of Tibbie, Stella lived a long and wonderful life of 93 years. Stella was a hard-working woman; she worked at Vanity Fair, Scott Paper Company, Cam Manufacturer, and the Washington County Commission where she began as a bus driver and then became manager of the Nutrition Center. She served the Washington County Commission for 48 years until she retired at age 90 in July of 2019.
For many years Stella enjoyed going to the gospel singing shows as well as the Fiddler's Convention. After Stella retired, she loved to go to her favorite restaurant, Jake's, at least once a week. She enjoyed planting her garden and watching her garden grow year after year. Stella was a very giving woman, doing and taking care of others truly made her happy.
Stella loved her entire family and enjoyed spending time with each and every one of them. She thoroughly enjoyed her grandchildren and great grandchildren; they brought her so much happiness. Stella found much delight in having a great grand daughter that was her namesake, Stella Leona Parnell.
She is survived by her children: Geneva (Allen) Bamford of Milton, FL, Burnette (Rusty) Parnell of Chatom, Laine (Chubby) Parnell of Tibbie, AL, Coy Howard of Tibbie, AL and Tammy (Harvey) Brents of Wagarville, AL; her grandchildren: Brandi Bamford, Keith Bamford, Jennifer (Mike) Bailey, Alana (Grant) Massey, Shannon (BJ) Whigham, Brandon (Ashton) Parnell, Jamey (Shaunna) Parnell, Will Howard, Samantha (James) Perry, Rachel Brents, Sharon (Matt) Sullivan; 24 great grandchildren, 1 great-great grandchild.
Stella is preceded in death by her husband Burnie Howard; parents, Lewis and Margaret Sullivan; siblings: Wilson Sullivan, Curtis Sullivan, Eugene Sullivan, Buck Sullivan and Annie Pearl Sullivan Howard, and great grand child, Caleb Bailey
Visitation will be held Sunday, March 26, 2023 from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm at Lathan Funeral Home, Chatom. Funeral service will be held Monday, March 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm at Fairhope Baptist Church with Rev. Dean Brown officiating. Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the service. Interment will follow in the church cemetery with Lathan Funeral Home directing.
Active pallbearers will be Brandon Parnell, Jamey Parnell, Gerrett Laton, Jacob Mitchell, Derek Everett and Lonnie McIlwain. Honorary pallbearers will be Ronnie McIlwain, Archie "Skeeter" Singleton, Bobby Frank Williams and Greg Laton.