Rev. Richard Arden Howle

The Rev. Richard Howle, a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and pastor, passed away on Monday, April 6, 2026, at his home at Carolina Pines Retirement Community in Greensboro, North Carolina.

A service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Sunday, April 12, 2026,  at Jamestown United Methodist Church in Jamestown, NC. A private family interment will take place in the church columbarium prior to the service. Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather for a reception in the Fellowship Hall.

Richard was born on August 23, 1934, in Hartsville, South Carolina, to J. Purvis Howle and Carrie Sue “Tiny” Benson Howle. He graduated from Hartsville High School and went on to earn his Bachelor’s degree from Wofford College and his Master of Divinity from Duke University.

On August 23, 1958, his birthday, he married the love of his life, Elizabeth Dunaway. Their life together was a true partnership, marked by deep love, steady faith, and a shared commitment to serving others.

For 55 years, Richard answered his call to ministry with energy, compassion, and a deep sense of purpose. He served congregations across the Western North Carolina Conference of the United Methodist Church, including Thomasville, Asheville, Shelby, Charlotte, Salisbury, Canton, North Wilkesboro, Eden, and Jamestown. Wherever he went, people knew they were cared for, listened to, and guided with both wisdom and kindness.

From 1995 to 2002, Richard served as District Superintendent of the High Point District, where he continued to lead with humility, clarity, and a heart for both pastors and congregations.

Even after his official retirement in 2002, Richard was not finished. He still had more to give. For the next 11 years, he served as an interim pastor in Kernersville and Winston Salem, and later as Associate Pastor at Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church from 2004 to 2013. Ministry was never just a role for Richard. It was who he was.

For the past 31 years, the Jamestown, North Carolina area was home. He built a life and community there, including 30 years in Quarterpath Trace, surrounded by dear friends and neighbors who became like family. Over the past year, he made his home at Carolina Pines Retirement Community, where he was cared for with great kindness. His family is deeply grateful to the many friends, neighbors, and caregivers who showed him such love and devotion.

In 2018, Elizabeth was diagnosed with dementia. In the years that followed, Richard’s love was on full display. He spent each day by her side at Pennybyrn in Jamestown, offering constant presence, care, and devotion. He never wavered. After Elizabeth’s passing in 2023, he missed her deeply every day. It brings comfort to his family to know they are now together again.

Richard was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Elizabeth, his brother Jimmie Howle, his sister Betty Howle Taylor.

He is survived by his sons, Jeffrey Howle and his wife Tamara of Columbia, South Carolina, and Dr. Jonathan Howle and his partner Martin Pena of Arden, North Carolina; his grandson, Luke Howle of Columbia, South Carolina; his granddaughter, Elise Howle of Charleston, South Carolina; his nephew, Roger Howle of Quinby, South Carolina; his nephew, David Taylor of Simpsonville, South Carolina; and his niece, Beth Howle of Florence, South Carolina.

Richard’s life was not only measured in years of service, but in the countless lives he touched along the way. He showed up for people in their hardest moments and their most joyful ones. He led with grace, he listened well, and he loved deeply.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Memory Cafe at Jamestown United Methodist Church. Gifts may be made online at www.jumc.org or by mail to: Jamestown United Methodist Church PO Box 339 Jamestown, NC 27282.

Live stream will be available at www.jumc.org.

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.