Rodney "Keith" Howell

Keith was the first in his family to attend college, graduating from Appalachian State University and later with a Master of Business Administration from the University of South Carolina. He was a loyal employee of Bausch + Lomb for 32 years, first as an accountant in Greenville, South Carolina, and finally as Director of Operations in Lynchburg Virginia.

Keith was humble and never realized the influence he had on those around him. He expressed that he was never sure what his purpose for being here was, but to those of us who knew him, it was obvious. Keith was a devoted husband to Jennie (always affectionally known to Keith as “Dear”) for 38 years who loved his family fiercely and set a high standard for how to live life. He was the backbone of the family - the advice giver and helper, problem solver and fixer. He was the math homework helper, instigator of nonsense, rememberer of all dates and past events, and planner of trips (you’d better be in good shape to keep up with him at Disney World!). He was a most thoughtful and sentimental of gift-givers. His kids will always remember shoe-shopping with Dad, being dragged to the grocery store, and their special weekend “Days Out with Dad” which later became motorcycle trips, visits to Cooperstown and Boston, and travels to New York and California.

Keith relished motorcycle trips on the parkway on his Harley, family weeks at the beach, special trips with each of his children, and playing with his grandkids and enjoying their antics, occasionally egging them on. He was a fierce fan of App State football and let nothing get in his way of enjoying a game in person or in his den. His plan for retirement was to ride the parkway in a blue Corvette and travel the US with “Dear”.

Keith’s family will attempt to live their lives according to the high standard he set, and he will always be in their hearts. He will be sadly missed and always loved by his wife Jennie; his four children: Michael, David (Paige), and Timothy (Chrissy) Howell, and Elizabeth Martin (Ben); and eight grandchildren: Devon, Drayden, Kenadie, Emerie, Cora, Tanner, Luca and Jonah, and a host of relatives and friends.

Keith had a soft spot for animals and people in need. In lieu of flowers, please consider honoring him with a donation to the Lynchburg Humane Society or the Isaiah 1:17 House for children in foster care.

A service celebrating Keith’s life will be held at Whitten Timberlake Chapel on Saturday, February 5, at 2:00 p.m. with a reception following.