Virginia Lee Inman Howlett

Mrs. Virginia Lee Inman Howlett, 91, of Mount Airy, passed away peacefully on Monday morning, June 16, 2025, at Surry Community Health Center by Harborview. Mrs. Howlett was born March 12, 1934, in Surry County, the daughter of the late Vester Ray and Willie Wilkes Norman Inman. Virginia retired from Renfro Corporation and was a lifelong member of Indian Grove Baptist Church, where her faith and service were a cornerstone of her life. Virginia gave selflessly to others through her volunteer work with Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, and she also shared her gift of music as a member of the Mountain Valley Voices choir. Virginia loved her family fiercely – especially her grandchildren – and took great joy in every generation of her family. She is survived by a daughter and two sons-in-law, Kay and Johnnie Jones and Ricky Bowman; three sons and daughters-in-law, George and Debbie Howlett, Tim and Cathy Howlett, and Terry and Wanda Howlett; eighteen grandchildren; thirty-seven great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Letsie Whitaker and Janice Tollison; and numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, Mrs. Howlett was preceded in death by her husband, Lawley William Howlett, Sr.; a daughter, Rebecca Lynn Bowman; two sons, Lawley William Howlett, Jr. and Bobby Lee Howlett; three sisters, Shirley Key, Brenda Beasley, and Patsy Beaver; and a brother, Phillip Ray Inman. The funeral service will be held Thursday, June 19, 2025, at 1:00 PM at Indian Grove Baptist Church, with the Rev. Rickey Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Indian Grove Family Cemetery. The family will receive friends Thursday from 12:00 until 1:00 PM at the church. The family wishes to express their heartfelt gratitude to the staff at Surry Community Health Center by Harborview and Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care for their compassionate care, and they are especially grateful for the friendship and devoted care provided by Mary Quesinberry. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice and Palliative Care, P.O. Box 325, Dobson, NC 27017. Moody Funeral Services in Mount Airy is serving the family.