Howell enjoyed a career as one of the state’s most successful high school football and baseball coaches in a 40-year coaching career.

Born in Monroe and a graduate of Western Carolina University, Howell spent 24 years at Sylva-Webster High, which later was consolidated into Smoky Mountain. Counting eight years as a head coach in Georgia, Howell had an overall career record of a whopping 301-121-6, which at the time was the top mark in North Carolina history, and a total of five NCHSAA state championships. Howell was 198-78-6 during his stint at Sylva-Webster and Smoky Mountain. He also coached at Avery County from 1994-97..

He also had one of the top baseball records in state history, amassing an amazing 618 victories, and won state crowns in that sport in 1974 and ’77.

A former president of the North Carolina Coaches Association, Howell also served as both a head coach and assistant in the East-West all-star game in Greensboro.

       Two services are scheduled.  One will be held in Newland at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home on Wednesday at 6 pm, and then one is scheduled for Saturday at Smoky Mountain High School at 4 pm, at Babe Howell Field at Carr Hooper Stadium, weather permitting. Otherwise services will he held in the Smoky Mountain gymnasium. The family will receive friends beginning two hours before the memorial service at the school.