Philip Raymond Howell

Today, we bid farewell to our husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother-in-Christ and friend, Philip Raymond Howell (A.K.A. Brother Phil, Pops), who left this world peacefully on April 16, 2026, at the age of 79. His life was filled with love, laughter, and countless adventures.

Brother Phil was born on 25 September 1946 in DeFuniak Springs, FL, the son of Charles and Ernestine Howell. But growing up as the son of a Coast Guard Commander who retired into the life of raising Angus cattle, and with a heritage that came from Native Americans and pirates, he was destined to lead a very unique, nomadic life.

After graduating from Florala High School in Alabama in 1963, he went on to become a Jack of all Trades and a Master of many. Higher learning was his playground; achieving a bachelor’s and two master’s degrees, along with many other certifications.

Phil had an eclectic range of jobs throughout his lifetime. His primary passion was in leading others to Christ; first as a Methodist Circuit rider, a Wesleyan minister and finally finding his spot with the Baptists.

He also spent 25 years in the military, both with the Air Force and Army, Guard and Active Duty; finishing up as an Army CW3. His career fields ranged from Unit Administrator, Intelligence Analyst, Navigator, Family Support Coordinator and Public Affairs. He was involved in the Viet Nam conflict.

Phil’s wide spectrum of other jobs over the course of his life, started with working under John Edgar Hoover in the FBI and ranged from there to restaurant management, vocational rehabilitation and helping run the YMCA, to name a few. He also volunteered for the Citizen Police, received a Humanitarian Service Medel for working on Hurricane Hugo relief efforts and the Palmetto Patriot Certificate for significant contributions during Desert Shield/Storm. One of his favorite memories involved time spent participating in a mission trip to Guatemala.

Brother Phil had many passions in life, including telling jokes, writing (especially poetry, songs, stories, sermons and the occasional article in a newspaper or magazine), photography (with his own dark room), public speaking, video narration/ voiceover, music (listening, singing, playing – especially the guitar and harmonica) and studying about and sharing his faith with anyone who would listen.

Phil was a loving husband to Gloria Albertson Howell, his wife and best friend of 55 years. Together they raised two children, Amy and Nikki.

He is survived by his loving wife, Gloria Howell; his children, Amy Kyzer (Toby) and Nikki Burnham (predeceased husband, Mike); and many grandchildren: Samantha Summers (Brent), Hunter Kyzer (Kenzie), Philip Burnham, Nicholas Burnham, Logan Kyzer, Jazmine Kyzer, Bethany Kyzer, and JJ Kyzer; and great grandchildren: Forest, Braxton, and Ivy. Phil was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Ernestine Howell; his siblings, Douglas Howell, Thomas Howell, and Caroline Hurst; and his son in law, Michael Burnham.

The Celebration of Life ceremony will be held at Mt Elon Baptist Church (718 Mt Elon Baptist Church, Hopkins, SC 29061) on 22 April 2026 at 11am with visitation to follow. Military honors will be given on 28 April 2026 at 11am at Ft Jackson National Cemetery (4170 Percival Rd, Columbia, SC 29229). Friends and family are invited to attend and pay their respects at either or both ceremonies. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to International Fellowship of Christians and Jews ( https://www.ifcj.org/ ) in Phil’s name.

“We know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he really is. When we arrive in heaven, something wonderful will happen. A final transformation will occur. We will be just like Jesus. Of all the blessings of heaven, one of the greatest will be you! You will be God‘s magnum opus, his work of art. The angels will gasp. God’s work will be completed. At last, you will have a heart like his. You will love with a perfect heart. You will worship with a radiant face. You will hear each word God speaks Your heart will be pure, your words will be like Jewels, your thoughts will be like treasures. You will be just like Jesus. You will, at long last, have a heart like His.” Phil has become God‘s Magnum Opus, because his entire life, since he became a Christian at 18, was to march towards heaven and share his faith with everyone he met so that in the end, we would finally be in heaven together.

Just like Jesus by Max Lucado. (1 John 3:2)

See you on the High Side, Brother Phil. Not by faith, but by sight!