A Celebration of Life Service was held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, May 11, 2024, at the David M. Haraway Center on the campus of Northwest Community College in Senatobia for Jamie W. Howell Sr., 86, of Pope, who died peacefully on Tuesday, May 7, in Collierville, Tenn. The service followed a private burial in Pope. Visitation was held from 1 p.m. until service time on Saturday, May 11, at the David M. Haraway Center.
Mr. Howell was born on March 14, 1938, in Sumner, the son of the late Burtrum Hy Howell and the late Ollie Baker Howell. He was the only boy of six children.
Mr. Howell was an All-American in basketball and baseball while at Northwest Community College in Senatobia before heading to The University of Mississippi where he starred two years at point guard for the basketball team and in centerfield on the baseball team. In 1960, he was named All-SEC after the Rebels won the Southeastern Conference baseball championship. One of his greatest moments as a Rebel came when he hit a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat Notre Dame 3-2 in Oxford. This is the feat that earned him the nickname “Home Run,” which followed him the rest of his life.
Upon graduating from Ole Miss, Mr. Howell became a top-notch coach, school principal and administrator holding the following jobs: Ole Miss freshman basketball coach (1960-61); Holmes Junior College men’s basketball and baseball coach (1962-64); Ashland Attendance Center principal, boys and girls basketball and baseball coach (1964-1970) where he led both the boys and girls teams to the state tournament in 1967, with his girls team winning his first state championship as a coach and Magnolia Heights School in Senatobia, headmaster, boys and girls basketball and baseball coach (1970-1976) where his nationally-ranked 1985 girls basketball squad won the MPSA AA and Overall State Championships with a perfect 37-0 record.
However, Jamie’s greatest pride and joy was his family, including, his wife, Jerry, who predeceased him; his children, Jamie W. “Jim” Howell Jr. (Ann) of Memphis, Tenn., and Susan H. Cascio (Chris) of Southaven; his grandsons, Ford Howell (Katie) of Memphis, Tenn., Knox Cascio and Quinn Cascio, both of Southaven and his only granddaughter, Emma Howell of Nashville, Tenn.
Mr. Howell was a believer in the Lord, Jesus Christ, and recognized Him as his one true Savior. Over the years, he served his churches as a deacon and sang in the choir. Mr. Howell enjoyed attending Hosanna Worship Center in his hometown of Pope where he served as Town Mayor up until the date of his death. He loved his town and the people he worked with there.
In addition to his parents and wife, four sisters, preceded Mr. Howell in death.
In addition to his children and grandchildren, survivors include, one sister, Vontice H. Lambert of Pope; numerous nieces and nephews and a very special friend, Martha Taylor, of Senatobia, all of whom he loved very much.
Mr. Howell’s family would like to thank the staff at BMH-DeSoto in Southaven and Baptist Reynolds Hospice House in Collierville, Tenn., for their care and compassion in Jamie’s final days.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Magnolia Heights School, 1 Chiefs Dr., Senatobia, MS 38668; Northpoint Christian School, 7400 Getwell Rd., Southaven, MS 38672 or Northwest Community College, 4975 Hwy. 51 North Senatobia, MS 38668.
“Let us hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23
Wells Funeral Home of Batesville was in charge of arrangements.
