Elizabeth (Jessup) Howell

To know her was to always be greeted with a song. Whether you were walking through her door, or if it was your birthday, or if you happened to stand in her garden for any length of time and were lucky enough to behold all the life she nurtured there: butterflies, cardinals, rose bushes, two children, five grandchildren, two great grandchildren. Elizabeth, or Beth as her family and friends knew her, was grateful.

In 1961, she married her highschool sweetheart, Jerry. Of all the couples in the founding class of South Mecklenburg High School, the two were awarded “Best Dressed” in their senior yearbook. This was, of course, due to Beth and her unparalleled style. A red tube of lipstick was never far from hand, nor a quick tip about your hair. And you’d be wise to listen. She had two children and was a senior underwriter for Equitable Insurance for 27 years. Her friendships from that time were incredibly meaningful.

As the family story-teller, Beth kept everyone together. On Christmas mornings in her crowded kitchen, on family beach-trips, on the night before Thanksgiving eating hamburgers on her porch, she’d tell us about her mama, or Pop, or her grandmother’s house in Walhalla. She reminded us, always, where we came from and who we had to thank. Beth had a gift for cultivating joy. She was the life of every party. She adored her dog Benji and would like you to know that she was a proud Democrat. She was so loved and will be so missed.

Beth is survived by her husband, Jerry Howell; her brother, Andy Jessup and his wife, Nina; her two children, Lisa Clare and Chris, her daughter-in-law, Rachel; her five grandchildren, Sloan, Jessy, Brittany, Brandon, and Marshall; and her two great grandchildren, Crawford and Etta.

In addition to flowers, you can send a donation to St. Jude, which Beth proudly supported.

Yoohoo.

A Celebration of Beth's life will be on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at 2:00 PM at McEwen Funeral Home - Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210.

Online condolences may be shared at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com