Bishop Thomas Furman "T.F." Howell, Sr., 84, of Elgin, died Thursday, March 28, 2013. Born in Conway, on March 11, 1929, he was a son of the late Moses Furman and Bessie Inman Howell. Rev. Howell was an ordained bishop with the Church of God, where he served in multiple positions during the course of his 50 years of ministry. He pastored seven churches, was the Evangelism Director for South Carolina, and the director of the South Carolina Church of God Home for Children for five years. Currently he was a member of the Elmwood Avenue Church of God in Columbia.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Betty Rabon Howell; children, Gayle (Larry) Lutgen of High Point, NC, Thomas (Lois) Howell, Jr. of Lexington, Ronnie (Kathy) Howell of Sumter, Rev. Barry (Pam) Howell of Lancaster, Mike (Alice) Howell of Timmonsville, Donna (Monroe) Hodges of Summerville, Tricia (Scot) Jeffers of Blythewood; sisters, Ruby Dorman and Eulee Lovell, both of Conway; 16 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; brothers, L.D. (Jeanette) Howell of Bucksport, SC, Bobby (Vera) Howell of Coward, SC, Rev. Paul (Mary) Howell of Sumter, Rev. Tim (Becky) Howell of Florence, and Rev. Jerry (Martha) Howell of Conway. In addition to his parents, TF was preceded in death by his brothers, Moses and Elwood Howell; granddaughter, Kimberly Young; and great grandchild, Jean Baptiste Pharand.

The funeral service for Bishop Howell will be held 2 o'clock, Saturday, March 30th, at Elmwood Avenue Church of God, 1427 Elmwood Ave, Columbia, with The Rev. Byron Powers, The Rev. Barry Howell and The Rev. Wendell Hendrix officiating. Entombment will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Mausoleum. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons, Kenny, Dean, Kevin, and Corey Howell, Michael Howell, Jr. and Alex Hodges. Honorary Pallbearers will be grandsons, Dylan Hodges, Casey and Chad Howell, and Brent Walsh. The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 o'clock, Friday evening, at the Fish Hatchery Road Church of God, 3249 Fish Hatchery Rd, Gaston.

Memorials may be made to the South Carolina Church of God Home for Children, PO Box 430, Mauldin, SC 29662. Memories and condolences may be added to the online guestbook at ShivesFuneralHome.com.