James Daniel Howton

JAMES DANIEL HOWTON, resident of Hwy 76 South near Somerville and longtime Memphis Fireman, died at 8:30 P.M Monday at the Methodist Hospital of Fayette in Somerville where he was taken earlier in the evening. He was 84 years of age and died unexpectedly.
Funeral services for Mr. Howton were conducted at 2 P.M. Friday at the Peebles West Funeral Chapel at Oakland with Rev. Jim Whitley, officiating. Interment followed in the Fayette County Memorial Park Cemetery on Hwy. 64. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Home - West Chapel of Oakland.
A native of Fayette, Alabama, Mr. Howton was born December 11, 1923. the son of the late Donnie Lee Howton and the late Essie Taylor Howton. He moved at an early age with his parents to Cherry Valley, Arkansas where he graduated from High School. He was married October 12, 1946, to the former Billie Jane Hogan. His beloved wife of 61 years preceded him in death on December 21, 2007.
Mr. Howton moved to Memphis in 1951 and served as a City Of Memphis Fireman from 1953 until his retirement in 1977. He retired after serving as Crash Crew Chief of the Memphis International Airport, Firestation #33. Mr. and Mrs. Howton moved to Fayette County after his retirement and resided in the Somerville area for 31 years. He was of the Baptist faith and in earlier years, enjoyed outdoor activities that included camping, fishing and gardening.
Mr. Howton is survived by his daughters, Carol Selby of Germantown, Barbara Gillis of Accokeek, MD, Rita Penn of Coldwater, MS and Debhora Hobson of Walls, MS; three sisters, Johnnie B. Mann of Cherry Valley, AR, Claire Stephens of Bald Knob, AR, Juanita Jacks of Nesbit, MS; 9 grandchildren & 16 great-grandchildren.