Frances Howe Obituary

Frances Faye Fischer Howe

December 20, 1928 -

December 9, 2025

On December 9, 2025, Frances Faye Fischer Howe was reunited with the love of her life Percy Howe as she entered into eternal life. Born December 20, 1928, she saw many changes in her lifetime. One thing that remained constant, however, was her deep and abiding faith in God and her love of serving Him. One of her greatest joys was teaching children, both for a short time in the public school system but for many years in the United Methodist Church as a Sunday school teacher and a counselor at Camp Sumatanga in the North Alabama Annual Conference. Her other greatest joy was her own four children, who she always wished were still little and at home where she could take care of them. She and Percy supported everything they did and were extremely proud that all of them ended up in church-related vocations, earning her the nickname The Reverend Mother from many in the Holston Annual Conference where they have served.

She is survived by her children, Fred Howe (Kitty), Harry Howe (Denise), Danny Howe (Noell), and Ginger Howe Isom; grandchildren, Will Howe (Vanessa), Amanda Kelley (Tim), Virginia Marshall (Phil), Matt Howe (Kelley), Madeline Hall (Will), Tristan Brickell, Brynn Brickell; and seven great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband, Percy W. Howe; and her parents, Fred and Virgie Fischer.

The services to honor Frances will begin on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, with a brief committal service at 12:00 pm held in the Last Supper section of Oak Hill Memorial Park (800 Truxton Dr, Kingsport, TN) then continue at 1:00 PM with a Celebration of Life in the Sanctuary at First Broad Street United Methodist Church (100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN). The receiving of friends will take place afterwards in the Social Hall. The Rev. Dr. William Randall Frye will be officiating the services, and Frances' grandchildren will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, it would have warmed Frances' heart for memorials to be made to any of the following ministries connected with her four children:

Camp Bays Mountain, c/o The Appalachian District, PO Box 3030, Kingsport, TN 37664

FBSUMC Missions Ministry, 100 E. Church Circle, Kingsport, TN 37660

Mel Leaman Free Clinic, 601 Radio Hill Lane, Marion, VA 24354

Project Crossroads, 136 Snider Branch Road, Marion, VA 24354

Wheeler UMC Camp in the Community, 211 N. Sanders Street, Blountville, TN 37617

Please visit www.hamlettdobson.com to leave an online condolence for the family.