Ernest Phillip Howell

Ernest Phillip Howell, 84, of Kings Mountain, passed away peacefully at Wendover Hospice on May 12, 2026. He was born in Kings Mountain, NC on October 17, 1941, to the late Samuel Woodrow Howell and Willie Falls Howell Wright. Ernie was a member of Central Methodist Church in Kings Mountain. There, he was a volunteer for the Community Kitchen for many years. He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. There he was an Air Police and Sentry Dog Handler. He was part of Operation Top Dog where the military trained 40 soldiers and 40 canines to see if the canines could acclimate to the climate in Vietnam and protect the flight lines. After his military service, he worked in textiles. He then went on to work for Norfolk Southern Railroad (formerly Southern Railroad), from which he retired.

He also worked at Harris Funeral Home for a brief period of time. He was a familiar face around Center Service and City Auto. Ernie was a member of Fairview Lodge #339.

Ernie is survived by his wife, Lisa Beth Rockwood Howell; daughter, Tina Bruner and husband Tom; son, Phillip Howell and wife April; grandchildren, Josh Bruner and wife Crystal, Justin Bruner and wife Sydnee, Kayla Bruner and wife, Christina, and Lyric Weathersbee; great-grandchildren, Sydney, Savannah, Scarlett, Mason, Ryland, and Caroline; a sister, Carol Dillenger; and cousins, Gail Rogers, Jane Mauney, and Keith Falls.

The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to Della Ballew and the Kings Mountain Life Enrichment Center for their compassionate care of Ernie.

A service to celebrate Ernie's life, officiated by Pastor Perry Hines, will be held Saturday, May 16, 2026, at 3:00 pm at Central Methodist Church, 113 S. Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain, NC 28086. The family will receive friends at the church, in the Christian Activity Center, from 1:00 - 3:00 pm.

Interment will be Monday, May 18, 2026, at 1:00 pm at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, 1

Chapel of Faith Drive, Candler, NC

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Central Methodist Church, Kings Mountain Life Enrichment Center, Shriner's Hospital for Children, or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements are with Harris Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 108S. Piedmont Ave., Kings Mountain,NC 28086

GUEST REGISTER AVAILABLE AT WWW.HARRISFUNERALS.COM

ARRANGEMENTS: HARRIS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES, KINGS MOUNTAIN, NORTH CAROLINA