Annie Lea Howton of Cottondale, AL, passed from this life on May 10, 2025, after a fall resulting in a broken hip from a week earlier. She was 92 years of age and affectionately known as “Miss Anne”. Even though she struggled with crippling arthritis, she was a faithful member of East Pointe Church of Christ where she taught children in earlier years, and very rarely ever missed attendance of any services. She was always seen by others with kindness, gentleness, and a smile, often coupled with a sharp wit. She was a solid Christian in every way by her exemplary life of good works, her obedience to God, and a deep love and devotion for her husband of 73 years. She loved her children and grandchildren, teaching them the love of God, always having time for them. She was hospitable to others, a wonderful cook, and just a beautiful person inside and out! Daddy would often say to me, his daughter, “You have a beautiful Mother”. Even at the age of 92, whenever we went anywhere, Daddy would walk up to a total stranger and ask, “Guess how long we've been married?” He was so proud of her! Because of her true beauty, I was always proud to introduce her as my Mother! The world has been made a better place because of her life! There is a big hole left by her absence here. But now she has left this world with its sorrows, to a place in Paradise prepared by God, where there is peace, joy, and happiness forevermore! Though it's so hard to let her go, we can only say, “Thank you, God, for blessing us with a wonderful Mother and her Christian life!”
Annie is survived by her daughter Patricia Howton Box Duren; son Robert Bradley Howton; grandchildren Annie Elizabeth Thompson, Lensey Howton Shaw, Joseph Daniel Box, and Robert Blakney Howton; great-grandchildren Caleb, Cannan, and Alden Thompson, Payton and Liam Howton, Landon and Tucker Shaw
Annie was preceded in death by her husband of 73 years, Robert Ed Howton; parents, William Ray and Annie Logan Wheeler; brothers Bill, Max, Guy, and Charles Wheeler; sisters Mozelle Robertson, Ruth Jones, and Dora Little.
A visitation for Annie will be held on Thursday, May 15, 2025, from 10:00 to 11:00 AM at East Pointe Church of Christ, 3935 Woodland Forrest Dr, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405. The celebration of life will follow at 11:00 AM. The committal service will occur at Memory Hill Gardens, 2200 Skyland Blvd East, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35405.
Serving as pallbearers are Joseph Daniel Box, Clint Duren, Jason Shaw, Morris Wheeler, Jeff Dungan, Eldon Griffin, Roger Koeler, Mike Middleton, and Liam Middleton. Honorary pallbearers are the Christian Family at East Pointe Church of Christ, Linda Dickson, Miriam McDaniel, and the Nursing Staff of DCH 7 South.
