Linda Howell

Linda Lee Smith Howell was born on April 26, 1948, in Santa Anna, TX and returned to her heavenly home on April 2, 2025 in Huntsville, AL. She was the 5th of 7 children born to Wyatt Bartlett and Juanita Mary Smith. Linda was raised in a house full of kids, noise, love, and music. From an early age, music and God were her top loves. She attended Lubbock High School, graduated with a BA in Music Education (71) and a Master of Music Education (72) from Texas Tech University. She taught voice in Lubbock, TX, for over 30 years. In her sixties, Linda went back to school and achieved her Master of Theology degree from Logsdon Seminary at Hardin-Simmons University in Abilene, TX (2011). She was ordained as a Cumberland Presbyterian Minister in June of 2011 and was honored to pastor Salem Cumberland Presbyterian Church in Sebastopol, MS, for 6 years.

Linda met the love of her life in 1970, and on March 25, 1972, she became Mrs. Louis Warren Howell, II. Sonny and Linda were made for each other, and their grandchildren often declared them #couplegoals . You could always find them holding hands and enjoying Texas Tech sporting events together. They had two beloved children together and were blessed by their son-in-love and daughter-in-love! Linda has seven grandchildren who call her Abue— short for Abuelita or “little grandma.”

Linda was preceded in death by her father, Wyatt Smith, her mother, Juanita Smith, three siblings and their spouses; sisters: Wanda Chrisman (Milton) and Joyce Hodge (Larry)and a brother, Anthony Smith (Ginger), as well as her best friend and soul sister, Sara Newcomb.

Linda is survived by her faithful husband, Sonny (Louis W. Howell, II)of Huntsville, AL, a daughter, Cardelia Howell-Diamond (Steven) of Madison, AL, a son, Louis Warren Howell, III (Dajah) of Hatch, NM, seven grandchildren, Kai Howell-Diamond, Magnus Howell-Diamond, Drue Howell, Reece Howell, Wyatt Howell-Diamond, Blayke Howell, and Louis Warren Howell, IV. She is also survived by two brothers, Rodney Smith (Pat) of Keller, TX, and Farrell Smith (DeAnne) of Pinehurst, TX, and a sister, Debbie Miller(Tom) of Searcy, AR, as well as many nieces and nephews, great- and great-great nieces and nephews, and many colleagues and friends.

The family will host a come and go reception on May 22, 2025 in Lubbock, TX. It will be at First Cumberland Presbyterian church Lubbock on Indiana Ave at 6 pm.

The graveside service will be held at Resthaven Funeral Home and Memorial Park on May 23rd at 10 am. The Rev. Cardelia Howell-Diamond will officiate. The pall bearers will be Louis Warren Howell, III, Steven Howell-Diamond, Kai Howell-Diamond, Magnus Howell-DIamond, Monte Chitwood, and David Craig.

There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial service held May 24th at 2 pm at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church Denton, TX, 1424 Stuart Rd Denton, TX 76209. The Rev. Dusty Luthy will officiate. The service will be followed by a light hors d’oeuvres reception.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that gifts be sent in Linda’s honor to the Media Program at Mayfield High School 1955 N Valley Dr #5154 Las Cruces, NM 88007, or the Choral Program at Sparkman High School 2616 Jeff Rd NW, Harvest, AL 35749.