Howard Eugene Rector

The family will be receiving friends on Saturday, December 27, 2025, from 10 until 11 a.m., at Kilgore-Green Funeral Home. Service will follow at 11 a.m., in the Kilgore-Green Chapel, with burial at Bethel Church of Christ Cemetery. Andy Fraizer and Randy Atkinson will officiate.

Mr. Rector was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Annie Rector, brothers Charlie B., Hoyt, and Clyde Rector, sisters Helen Jones and Lavice Collins.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Mary Elna Matthews Rector, sister Lola Mae Edwards of Vernon, son Wayne Rector (Monique) of Jasper; daughter, Linda Plan (Chris) of Birmingham; grandchildren, Stephanie Bridges (Tucker) of Birmingham, Lindsay Wise (Connor) of Birmingham, Caroline Kamplain (Justin) of Jasper, Andrew Plan (Elizabeth) of Birmingham and seven great-grandchildren. The family would like to acknowledge the loving care provided by caregivers Lisa Thomas and Chantiel Key, along with the nurses of the hospice provider, Enhabit.

Howard grew up in Vernon, Alabama and attended Lamar County High School. After he and Mary married, they settled in Hillview and raised their family. Mr. Rector retired after 30 years with US Steel. He then worked as a general contractor building homes across the Birmingham area for many years.

One of the joys of his life was coaching youth baseball and football in the Hillview community. He worked with hundreds of boys through the years, coaching them to be better baseball and football players, and even better young men.

Howard was a happy, hard-working Grandaddy, whose positive outlook and influence will live on.