Frances Earline Jourdan Howell passed away on July 18, 2026, at her home in Starkville, Mississippi.  She was surrounded by her family that cared for her until the end. She graduated from Brooksville High School in Noxubee County, MS.   On March 9, 1952, she married George Leroy Howell, a bond that lasted 74 years. She worked as a business administrator of several companies while her husband, Leroy, attended medical school at the University of Tennessee in Memphis.

Leroy graduated from medical school, and shortly after in 1963, they moved with their children to Starkville, MS. Earline became a full-time home maker and mother of seven children.

She was preceded in death by her parents: Barney Jackson Jourdan and Maybell Clark Jourdan; her daughter; Dianne Howell Burkes Myers; son; Cameron Scott Howell; infant grandson; Patrick Preston Myers; nine siblings: Mary Elizabeth Cade, Clara Bell Kemp, Martha Loraine Box, Hazel Lee Miller, Barney Daniel Jourdan, Thomas Clinton Jourdan, John William Jourdan, Wilbourn Wesley Jourdan, Roosevelt Franklin Jourdan.

She is survived by her husband; Dr. George Leroy Howell of Starkville, Mississippi; sons: Lee Howell of Morristown, New Jersey; Patrick Howell (Jason) of Orlando, Florida; Samuel Howell (Laura Lee) of Collierville, Tennessee; daughters: Lisa Howell Griffin (Garrett) of Columbiana, Alabama; Hannah Howell of Orlando, Florida. 12 Grandchildren and six Great Grandchildren.

She was a long-time member of First Baptist Church where she was also a member of the Empty Nesters Community Group and Discipleship Bible Study. She had a passion for service. With that and her talent for cooking, she often served those in need with a visit, with a wonderful meal and with prayers of support.

She traveled frequently to Honduras on medical mission trips with her husband Leroy, giving candy, toys and the plan of salvation to children that came through the clinic. She passed on these loves to her own children. She had a wonderful giving heart. If someone admired a scarf, necklace or anything she had, she would often gift it to them when they were least expecting it. She and Leroy had a vision to finance the renovation of the chapel that was the original First Baptist Church. Their goal in doing this was to bring the word of Jesus to everyone they could.

A celebration of Earline’s life will be on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at First Baptist Church Starkville, MS. Visitation will begin at 1 PM, with the service starting at 2 PM. Welch Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family welcomes memorials to First Baptist Church Starkville-Chapel renovation project.

You can leave the family a condolence at www.welchfuneralhomes.com.