Kay Buchanan Howell

Rita Kay Buchanan Howell, affectionately known as Kay, was born on February 1, 1941, in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to Marguerite Stone Buchanan and David Graves “Buck” Buchanan. In 1944, her family moved to Panama City, Florida, where she was raised. Kay graduated from Bay High School in 1959, where she was co-valedictorian of her high school class.

Kay went on to pursue her calling in nursing, graduating as a registered nurse in 1962 from the University Hospital School of Nursing at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where she met the love of her life, Blue. She began her nursing career as an operating room nurse at University Hospital. She later served for many years as a surgical nurse at Selma Medical Center, where her compassion, skill, and dedication touched countless patients and families. She eventually joined her husband in his dental practice, where they worked side by side.

On March 24, 1963, Kay married Eugene Milton “Blue” Howell, Jr. Together, they built a beautiful life centered around their family, their faith, and their love for one another. They were blessed with three children: Jeffrey Eugene Howell (Beth), Linda Howell Veach (Craig), and Mary Alyce Garner (Cason).

Kay and Blue raised their family in Selma, where they were active members of First Baptist Church. Their faith was a cornerstone of their home and family life. Later, after moving to Montgomery, Kay and Blue became members of Vaughn Forest Church, where Kay continued to faithfully serve others.

Kay had a true servant’s heart. She generously gave her time, love, and talents to many ministries, including His Vessel Ministry and the Vaughn Forest Women’s Ministry. She found great joy in serving others, encouraging those around her, and living out her faith through countless acts of love and kindness. She never sought recognition for the good she did. Serving others simply came naturally to Kay.

Kay also deeply treasured her friendships and the special community she found among her Oak Grove friends and neighbors. These friendships brought her great joy and companionship and became an important and cherished part of her life.

Kay’s life was marked by a quiet strength, a generous spirit, and a deep and abiding faith. She loved her family fiercely, cared for others selflessly, and made a lasting difference in the lives of those fortunate enough to know her. She was the kind of person who made others feel loved, welcomed, and cared for, and her presence was a gift to so many.

Above all, Kay treasured her family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Nothing brought her greater joy than being surrounded by the people she loved.

She is survived by her three children, Jeffrey Eugene Howell (Beth), Linda Howell Veach (Craig), and Mary Alyce Garner (Cason); her seven grandchildren, Brandon Veach (Lauren), Anna Elizabeth Howell Beers (Ben), Mary Kaylin Veach Armstead (Tyler), Kayley Garner Nickles (Bradford), Cale Garner, Mary Drue Garner, and Graves Garner; her eight great-grandchildren, Hudson, Charlotte, and Coleman Veach, Lucy Callen, Lettie, and Benning Beers, and Mary Holland and Henry Armstead; her loving sister, Linda Buchanan Harrison (Franklin); and many beloved nieces, nephews, extended family members, and dear friends.

Kay’s life was one of love, faith, service, and devotion to her family and friends. Her gentle spirit, generous heart, and unwavering faith will be remembered by all who knew and loved her. Though she will be deeply missed, her legacy will live on through the many lives she touched and, most especially, through the generations of her family who will carry her love with them always.

She leaves behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, and service, and her memory will forever be treasured by those who were blessed to call her wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend.

A Family and Friends Visitation will be held at Vaughn Forest Church, 8660 Vaughn Rd., Montgomery, AL 36117, on September 4, 2026, at 11:00 am, followed by A Celebration of Life Church Service at 12:00 pm. Services will conclude with a burial at Greenwood Cemetery. All services officiated by Rev. Lawrence Phipps.

Serving as pallbearers will be her grandsons, Brandon Veach, Tyler Armstead, Ben Beers, Cale Garner, Graves Garner, and Bradford Nickles. Their love and devotion to Kay were a treasured blessing in her life, and it is fitting that they will honor her in this final act of service.