Betty Jean Howell, 90, of Piggott, Arkansas, passed away on July 22, 2026, at Piggott HealthCare & Senior Living in Piggott, Arkansas.

She was born on September 18, 1935, in Carryville, Arkansas, and was the daughter of Dewey Floyd Bellers and Blanche Eathel Bellers, who both preceded her in death.

Betty was united in marriage to Troy Lee Howell on March 18, 1957. Together they shared many years of marriage until his passing.

Betty dedicated her life to education, earning a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education from Arkansas State University. She faithfully served as an elementary school teacher in the Piggott School District for 30 years. During her career, she was active in numerous professional organizations, including the Phi Mu Society, the Arkansas Education Association, and the National Education Association.

She was a faithful member of South Thornton Church of Christ. Betty was gifted with remarkable creativity and vision. Long before home renovation became popular, she found joy in purchasing older homes, restoring them with care, and transforming them into beautiful places for others to enjoy. Her talents also extended to quilting, needlework, and reupholstering furniture.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Troy Lee Howell; her parents, Dewey Floyd and Blanche Eathel Bellers; her son-in-law, Bill Olson; her brothers, Junior Bellers, Joe Bellers, and Francis Bellers; her sister, Gurtha Sanders; her brothers-in-law, Melvin Sanders and Ledell Bailey; and her sisters-in-law, Claudina Bellers and Dolores Bellers.

She is survived by her children, Jeffrey Howell and finance Tammy of Piggott, Arkansas, Robert Howell and wife Mary Jo, and Angela Olson of Albert Lea, Minnesota. Also surviving are five grandchildren: Justin Howell and wife Amanda, Dylan Howell and wife Hallie, Amanda Howell, Jillian Kottemann and husband A.J., and Brooke Olson Blair and husband Jimmy. She also leaves nine great-grandchildren: Jack and Piper Jean Howell; Silas and Violet Howell; Juniper Jo Solis; Eevee Kottemann; and Adeline and Elowen Blair. She is further survived by her sisters, Mary Sneed and Jeanette Bailey; her sister-in-law, Martha Bellers; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will cherish her memory.

Visitation will be held Saturday, July 25, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. at Hoggard & Sons Chapel.

Funeral services will be held Saturday at 1:00 p.m. at Hoggard & Sons Chapel in Piggott, Arkansas, with Jerry Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Piggott Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Dennis Bellers, Monty Bellers, Joe Rouse, Monte Howell, Jason Howell, and Brian Sneed.

Honorary pallbearers will be the late Bill Olson, the late Kalem Rouse, Jerry Wayne Howell, Justin Howell, Dylan Howell, Amanda Howell, Jillian Howell Kottemann, and Brooke Olson Blair.

Memorials may be made to Children's Homes, Inc., Paragould, Arkansas, or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee.

Hoggard & Sons Funeral Home of Piggott, Arkansas, is in charge of the arrangements.