June 11, 2024, 69, Patetown —
Charlene Howell Reese, 69, completed her life’s purpose at her home in picturesque Patetown, North Carolina, and entered into the loving embrace of Jesus Christ on June 11, 2024. Born September 1, 1954, she was the daughter of the late Deams Manning Howell and Edna Sullivan Howell.
In addition to Jesus and her loving parents, Charlene was welcomed into the kingdom of Heaven by the infectious smile and giggles of her great-granddaughter, Adalyn Mae Martha Kornegay.
Charlene’s husband, Danny Reese, will miss her unconditional love, neverending support, and his best friend. Her daughter, Katrina Kornegay, will long for the days of having conversations with her beautiful confidante and will cherish the legacy left behind by the coolest, most intelligent Mama on the block. Her grandchildren, Kristin Wooten (Jackson), and Tank Kornegay, and great-grandchild, Earl Wayne Wooten affectionately remember their Mema as generous, smart, fun-natured, and the fastest driver in the family and feel the loss of her deep and unwavering love for them.
Her brother, Gilbert Howell, and wife Sharon, hold dear the memories of spending time with Charlene, especially in church on Sunday, her smile and the laughter children brought to her. Being her first best friend, Gilbert will keep remembrance of their childhood days, getting into trouble, barning tobacco, the farm, racing, their cars, and secrets kept from their parents close to his heart.
Her nieces, LeighAnn Horton (Jon), Allison Wolfe (Jason), and Courtney Howell (Justin) admiringly remember their Aunt Charlene as passionate, strong, resilient, independent, and a fighter.
Charlene was a member of Free Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church in the Patetown community where the seeds of her love of Christ were first sown as a child. She retired from St. Paul United Methodist Church where she was a church secretary and friend to many.
The Farmers’ Daughter, as she was known for her years spent drag racing, was a Winston Champion and a pioneer. She was steadfast, excelling at a once male-dominated sport, contributing to paving the way for other female racers. Her family will honor her memory and racing legacy by carrying on the family tradition of blaming her for their own questionable driving shenanigans.
Charlene was loyal and gave her all in everything she did. She loved to read, a hobby she passed on, encouraged, and shared with her grandchildren. She enjoyed sharing her vast knowledge of many subjects with those she loved. She is someone you wanted in your corner and she consistently stood up for what is good and right. She was a provider and always ensured her family was in abundance. Charlene was eager to learn more about God and how to become more like Jesus.
Always a giver, Charlene made an anatomical gift to Duke University School of Medicine as it was important to her to contribute to improving the health and lives of people for many generations to come. In addition, she pledged to donate her pacemaker to Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine where a K-9 in need will receive the gift of life. The ripple effect of her generosity cultivated a new connection between Duke University School of Medicine’s Anatomical Gifts Program and Iowa State College of Veterinary Medicine. This simple gesture became the catalyst for an immediate shipment of pacemakers from the Anatomical Gifts Program and will provide a continuous supply for future K-9s in Iowa.
A service to reminisce and celebrate Charlene’s life and her love of Christ will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2024, at Free Chapel Pentecostal Free Will Baptist Church with Pastor Ronnie Weaver officiating. The family will receive friends on Saturday following the service in the church fellowship hall.
The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and appreciation to her very special caregiver, friend, and honorary daughter, Kelly Ezzell. They would also like to thank 3HC for the compassionate, doting attention she received while under their care.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be given to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692 where research is being done to help save lives from heart disease and stroke, or to the Children’s Home Society of North Carolina, P.O. Box 14608, Greensboro, NC 27415-4608 from where she was adopted.
