Thomas Howell Fowler

Thomas Howell Fowler, 82, a lifelong resident of Fayette County, died after an extended illness on May 10, 2015 in the comfort of his own home while surrounded by his wife and three daughters.

The celebration of his life was held on Friday, May 15, at 1:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church in Somerville with Rev. Mike Pilcher officiating. He was assisted by Rev. H.B. Fields and Bill Rhea. Interment followed in the Somerville City Cemetery. Arrangements were provided by Peebles Fayette County Funeral Homes & Cremation Center - Main Chapel of Somerville.

Mr. Fowler attended the University of Alabama and served in the United States Navy before assuming responsibility for his family's farming operations, at an early age.  He was active in the agricultural, political, and community activities of Fayette County for many years. He served as a Fayette County Commissioner for 35 years. He also served on the boards of First State Bank and  Osceola Products Oil Mill. He was a founder and served on the board of Fayette Academy.

Mr. Fowler, a lifelong farmer and cotton ginner, was owner of the former Fowler Gin and Warehouse which operated in Fayette County for many years. He was a member of the Tennessee and Southern Cotton Ginners Associations, the Southern Warehouse Association, and the National Cotton Council where he served as a warehouse delegate and served on a range of committees. Mr. Fowler was a member of Oak Grove United Methodist Church his entire life.

He is preceded in death by his father, Festus Howell Fowler, his mother, Mattie Watkins Fowler, and his sister, Martha Frances Fowler Moore.

He is survived by his wife, Sue Hall Fowler, and daughters, Susan Fowler Horton (Michael) of Memphis, Martha Fowler Eubank (Tom) of Memphis, and Jamie Fowler Sullivan (Jason) of Jackson, Tennessee. He is also survived by seven grandchildren:  Natalie Swenson Sullivan, Sarah Palmer Sullivan, Thomas Howell Eubank, Virginia Aldridge Horton, Louise Watkins Eubank, William Fowler Eubank, and Corinne Frances Sullivan, all of whom he loved dearly.

Those honored to serve as pallbearers were Glenn Cofield, Tom Eubank, Roger Fakes, Jr., John Havercamp, Michael Horton, Howell Moore, Tommy Moore and Jason Sullivan.

Honorary pallbearers were Roger Fakes, Sr., William J. "Billy Jack" Frazier, David Fowler, Sr., Payson Matthews, Alex Moore, Currie Morrison and Richard Nuber.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be directed to Fayette Cares, P.O. Box 326, Somerville, TN 38068 or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, P.O. Box 1000, Department 142, Memphis, TN 38148 .

The family expresses sincere appreciation to Judy Featherstone, Bobby Macon, Felicia Rivers, Mary Price, Anne Price, and Jenice Blayde for their loving care.