Windell (Lee) Howle 1958-2022

Posted Wednesday, October 26, 2022 11:06 pm

With great sorrow, we announce the passing of our wonderful brother and dear Uncle Lee of so many nieces and nephews. Windell (Lee) Howle passed away on Oct. 15, 2022. Lee was born in Gilmer on Dec. 15, 1958 to Kate and Fowler Howle.

From the time he was born until his death, Lee never met a stranger. Everywhere he went in this country and out of the country, he met people just by walking up and starting a conversation.

Lee grew up in Quitman and graduated from Quitman High School. From there he went to Tyler Junior College in Tyler and to Stephen F. Austin University in Nacogdoches. After college, his first job was with Sanger-Harris in Tyler until he was transferred to their store in Dallas; then when Sanger-Harris opened a new store in Albuquerque, N.M. he was transferred again. When he moved back to Dallas, he worked at San Lorenzo Wholesale Florist for several years until they closed. After that, he went to work for The Kennedy Group at the World Trade Center in Dallas for many years. Then he decided to open his own business, Lee Howle & Company, and sold home furnishings and gifts to several companies including Tuesday Morning and Dillards. When cotton was king, he hired two ladies, Christine Tarkington and Beth Gordon, to sell for him adding several new customers including Old Time Pottery and Hobby Lobby.

Lee is survived by his sister, Kathy Ellis of Carrollton, and many nieces, nephews and cousins. Some who called him Uncle Lee were not immediate family members, but he was Uncle Lee nonetheless. Lee is also survived by many, many friends from throughout the United States.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Kate and Fowler Howle; four brothers, Norris Howle, Billy Howle, Dwayne Howle and Grady Bob Cranfill; and three sisters, Marcine White, Wanda Hawkins and Eva Weems.

Visitation with the family will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022 at Lowe-Gardner Funerals & Cremations in Quitman followed by memorial service at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow at Rock Hill Cemetery.

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