Judith "Judy" Gillespie Howell

Judith "Judy" Gillespie Howell, 75, retired Maury County teacher and counselor, died Sunday March 5, 2017 at NHC Maury Regional Transitional Health Care following a battle with cancer. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday at 2:30 P.M. at McCains Cemetery with Reverend Tommy Clark officiating. The family will visit with friends Wednesday from 12:00 - 2:00 P.M. at Oakes & Nichols Funeral Home. The family suggests memorials to the Maury County Animal Shelter, 1233 Mapleash Avenue, Columbia, TN 38401. Condolences may be extended online at www.oakesandnichols.com. The daughter of the late William Claude Gillespie and Sara Douglas Green Gillespie, she was born February 9, 1942, in Columbia, Tennessee. After graduating from Columbia Central High School in 1960 she attended Middle Tennessee State University, earning a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration. While at MTSU she was a member of Pi Omega Pi Honorary Business Fraternity and Tau Omicron Honor Society for Women. After college graduation, Judy returned to Columbia to marry her long-time love, A.C. Howell. She was hired to teach eighth grade science and math and high school business at Culleoka School. After three memorable and educational years there, she left to complete her teaching certification and received a Master's degree in the new field of guidance and counseling from MTSU. During this time two daughters, Amy and Mary, were born. Once both were in school, Judy resumed her education career, retiring in 2002 with more than thirty years of service, twenty-two as counselor at Whitthorne Middle School.Judy was a member of the Maury Regional Hospital Auxiliary, James K. Polk Memorial Association, Maury County Master Gardeners, Maury County Retired Teachers, Columbia Garden Club, and Graymere Church of Christ. She was passionate about the environment and historic preservation and loved traveling, reading, visiting art museums, and antique auctions. An excellent swimmer, she passed on her love of the water to her children and grandchildren and spent many enjoyable hours with them at the pool or the beach. Judy also adopted and fed numerous cats that appeared on the doorstep over the years. Survivors include her husband of fifty-two years, A. C. Howell; daughters, Amy Howell Carney of Memphis; and Mary (Jeff) Mahoney of Franklin; grandchildren, Michael Mahoney and William Mahoney both of Franklin; Mary Claire Carney and Catherine Carney both of Memphis; and sister, Claudia (Mike) Caruthers of Millington, Tennessee.Active pallbearers will be Greg Howell, David Cochran, Randy Howell, Mike Caruthers, Gayden Green, Don Howell, Dr. Ben High, and Steve Howell.