Jerry Wayne Howell

Jerry Wayne Howell, 62 years of age, went home to his Lord on Saturday, January 13, 2024.  Funeral services will be held at Cobb Funeral Chapel at 2:00 P.M. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024.  Reverend Stanley Norman and Reverend Matt Howell will be officiating.  Interment will follow with Reverend Julian Griner at Cobb Sunset Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1–1:45 P.M. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at Cobb Funeral Chapel.  Casketbearers are Kent Kudella, Rusty Davidson, Jack Duncan, Len Duncan, Doug Howell and Steve Tyus.

Wayne Howell was born in Moultrie, Georgia at Vereen Memorial Hospital on August 3, 1961, to Annie Marie Howell and James Harmon Howell.  He lived a fulfilling blessed life.  He was a graceful, kind, and loving man to everyone and touched the lives of all who met him.  He was a devoted Christian man, strong in his belief and faith, giving himself to the Lord when he was 10 years old. 

He was married to the love of his life, Jenny Ann Christy Howell, for over 38 years.  They were deeply in love and completely dedicated to each other.  He was a loyal beloved husband, devoted to her through their entire courtship and marriage for over 43 years. 

He dedicated his life to teaching middle school children at Charlie A. Gray and Willie J. Williams schools in Moultrie as a Political Science and Georgia History teacher.  Above all, his many students and athletes knew him as a mentor, father figure, and loving friend.  His motto was, “It’s not the years in your life that count, it’s the life in your years” (Abraham Lincoln).  He not only followed a special calling to dedicate his life to all the children he taught and coached, but intentionally made time for his son, Matt, whom he loved dearly.  No matter how many hours of work, he still found time for playing and coaching recreation ball, camping, homework, and fishing with Matt.  He cherished his life as a father. 

Wayne was a devoted Packer football coach for over 13 years.  As a Packer scout, he was blessed with the gift of recruiting young and upcoming Packer players, who in turn, loved their offensive line coach.  Wayne even coached the defensive line so that son, Matt, could play center without displaying favoritism.

Wayne was also a passionate Colquitt County Packer offensive guard in high school receiving numerous awards from 1977-1979. 

His dedication to teaching included earning multiple degrees.  Wayne graduated from Valdosta State College in the College of Education specialty of Middle School and Primary Education Degrees: Bachelor’s Degree (1984), Master’s Degree (1990), and Education Specialist Degree (1996).  He also was a member of Delta Chi Fraternity.

Through his unwavering pursuit of his degrees, he expressed “an endless amount of gratitude to our Lord Jesus Christ” to whom he stated gave him the patience, strength, and desire to constantly provide his life with education.

 Wayne is preceded in death by his parents, James Harmon Howell and Annie Marie Howell; grandparents, Mary Lizzie Howell and Jesse David Howell, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Survivors include wife, Jenny Ann Christy Howell; son, Matthew Nichols Howell and wife Sarah; grandchildren, Aiden Howell and Hudson Howell; mother-in-law, Nancy Christy; brother-in-law, Bart Christy; nephews, Bryan Christy, Brad Christy, Davis Howell and Jason Howell; brother, James Douglas Howell and wife Karla; nephews, Rev. Davis Howell and wife Kendall and  Jason Howell and wife Julie; niece, Kelly Ann Howell; very special friend and mentor, Jill Howell (Jason’s mother), who has been by his side in life since 8 years of age; Angels Among Us caregiver staff, Litzy Guerrereo, Yari Ramos, Pam Hancock, Renee’ Mims, and Bobbie Allen; plus the staff of Traditions Health Hospice and Colquitt Regional Hospice.

Memorial contributions may be made to the YMCA and to his beloved church family, Pine Grove Baptist Church.