Dr. Kelly Paul Howell, 95, passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2026. He was born on September 3, 1930 to the late George Willard and Laura Martin Howell in Horry County, SC.

In addition to his parents, Kelly is preceded in death by his brother, George Howell Jr. and sisters, Nina Richardson and Nette Harrelson.

Kelly is survived by his wife, Mary Sue Cribb Howell; son, Michael Howell (Kim); his daughters, Paula Presson (Bryan) and Susan Howell; six grandchildren and seven great grandchildren.

Kelly was a graduate of Conway High, class of 1947. He attended Clemson College from 1947 - 1949, and obtained his BS in Business Administration with Distinction from Indiana University in 1963. Kelly then attended the Armed Forces Staff College in Norfolk, VA in 1967 and the Southeastern Baptist Seminary in 1973 where he received his Doctorate of Ministry, Masters of Divinity, and the Valedictory Award. Kelly then graduated from Catawba Valley Technical College in Hickory, NC with his Associates Degree in Accounting Technology.

Kelly retired from the United States Air Force in 1970 as Lt. Col. after 21 years of service. He had 26 combat missions as a B29 Navigator in the Korean War, receiving the Air Medal with two clusters. He was a Navigator Evaluator in KC-97 tankers in SAC, flying 2,700 hours. Kelly served as Action Officer on Military Pay matters in the Pentagon, and as Chief Military Pay and Allowance Systems Div. at AFAFC, where he received the AFAFC Commendation of Service at the time of retirement.

Kelly was a former member of the SC and NC Association of CPA's, Gideon, Georgetown Camp Young as Ever and Joy Singers. Kelly worked as Comptroller for Midstate Mills in Newton, NC for nine years. He was a part-time instructor in Business (Accounting) at Lenoir Rhyne College, Catawba Valley Technical College, Coastal Carolina College, Georgetown Campus and HGTC, Georgetown Campus. He worked as a CPA with H. McRoy Skipper & Co, CPA's for four years. He was also a volunteer Accountant with Habitat for Humanity in Georgetown for four years.

A Memorial Service will be held at Louisburg Baptist Church, 302 N Main St, Louisburg, NC 27549, on Thursday September 3, 2026 at 11 a.m. with visitation following.

In lieu of flowers, the Howell family requests donations be made to The Gideons International.

Paid obituary