Mrs. Diane Howell

The starting point of Ruthie Diane Howell’s earthly journey was Jackson, MS. She was born there to Rayford and Tommie R. James on March 23, 1953. Her journey ended in Saint Peters, MO on July 24, 2019, but it would be impossible to keep a precise tally of all the miles logged in between. It would be easier to tell of the countries she did not visit than to record the many places she went. Now, she has departed on a final trip, to a better country, a heavenly one, a place prepared for her and for all of us (Hebrews 11:16; John 14:3). She married the love of her life, Bruce A. Howell on July 21 ,1973 and they were blessed with three children: Jared, Leah, and Amy. Most people travel through life and leave a trail of footprints. Diane left heart-prints. First, as they ministered together as Dean of Christian Education at Jackson College of Ministries, then over twenty years as missionaries to El Salvador and Honduras, before transitioning to regional and ultimately global leadership responsibilities. Diane never spoke of El Salvador, her home, without a mixture of emotions starting with smiling and usually ending with crying. Her people held a special place in her heart and Diane Howell had a distinct skill of climbing into their heart, and our own, and taking up permanent residence there. Diane loved her family. She loved people. She loved missions. She loved missionaries. She loved missionary kids. She loved God. She loved immediately, tenaciously, incessantly, protectively, defensively, and whole-heartedly. Along the way she leveraged a smile, sincerity, and a little “sass”—the seamless blend for whatever she felt was needed for the situation. Diane is predeceased by her parents, Rayford and Tommie R. James. She is survived by her beloved husband of forty-six years, Bruce Howell, three children and seven grandchildren she incontestably adored; Jared and Loida Howell (Zoe, Isabella, Judah); Leah and Andrew Arrowood (Zion, Lucia, Mimi); Amy and Dennis Uecker (Elliot); her sister, Lisa and Samuel W. Howard; uncles, aunts, nephews, and many cousins, but it would be impossible to provide an accurate count of all the other hearts she touched along the way. Diane could spot a problem from miles away. Unlike many who merely notice what is wrong in the world, Diane did something about it. She took care of things! The queen of hospitality, she had the eyes to see a need, the voice to address it, the hands to help you, and the heart to hold you. She spent a lifetime serving others to the extent there can be no physical record of the hope given, lives changed, and circumstances bettered by her presence. None except perhaps the intangible yet permanent record etched into our hearts. Most earthquakes are measurable, but there is no Richter scale reading for the tremors that shot around the globe on July 24th. We felt it just the same. The woman whose all-encompassing, ever-enduring, fiercely-unwavering love gave us all a glimpse of Jesus, now stands with Him, face-to-face. We will never be the same, but that’s to be expected. She changed everything she touched. Diane! Mom! Oh, how we miss you here. But we will see you there. Services celebrating the life of Diane Howell will be Tuesday, August 6, 2019 at New Life St. Louis, 11570 Mark Twain Lane, Bridgeton, MO with a reception and visitation from 3:00 – 6:30 pm, followed by service at 7 PM. On Thursday, August 8, 2019, at the First Pentecostal Church, 5000 I-55 S, Jackson, MS, visitation will begin at 9:00 am with the service following at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers the Diane Howell Memorial fund has been established, through Global Missions, United Pentecostal Church International World Headquarters, with proceeds being used for a special project in El Salvador. The account number is GMMFB.3080.2110.