Miriam Stephens Howell, 87, of Franklin, passed away Saturday, February 10, 2007.

A native of Douglas, GA, she was the daughter of the late Charles Anderson Stephens and Emma Merrier Stephens. She was preceded in death by a son, Mickey Howell who died in 1977. She was a member of Victory Baptist Church; former active member of Trinity Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Florida while serving with her husband on the Bus Ministry for 18 years. She was also involved with the Rock of Ages Prison Ministry and was recognized as the oldest active missionary in Florida, NC and Georgia.

She is survived by her husband of 66 years, William R. Howell, Jr.; one son, Bill E. Howell and wife Lota of St. Augustine, FL; five grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, February 12, at Victory Baptist Church. Rev. Benny Bagwell and Rev. Buddy Driggers will officiate. Burial will be in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 1-2 p.m. Monday, prior to the service at the church.

Pallbearers will be Bob Seaton, Frank Copeland, James Bates, Bob Morgan, Mike Fitzgerald and Bruce Rish.

Memorial donations may be made to the Victory Baptist Church, 278 Victory Church Road, Sylva, NC 28779 or Angel Hospice Foundation, PO Box 815, Franklin, NC 28744.

Macon Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Online condolences available @www.maconfuneralhome.com