Jeanne Ellen Suthard Cornell Howell, 85 of Fredericksburg, Virginia peacefully passed away on Tuesday, August 11, 2025, at her daughter’s family home. Jeanne was born in Washington, DC to Oscar and Rebecca Suthard and grew up in Northern Virginia. She was an “only-child” for fourteen years and then, much to her delight, her brother James Ralph Suthard was born. After graduating from Falls Church High School in 1956, Jeanne briefly attended Longwood University with a double major in English and History. Her passion for the English language and history was something she would carry for the rest of her life.

On the 4th of October 1958 Jeanne married Roy G. Cornell at Glencarlyn Road Baptist Church in Falls Church, Virginia. Two years later, on October 13th of 1960, she gave birth to her first child, a beautiful baby boy named Roy “Rusty” Gordon Cornell, Jr. Then, on September 28, 1962, Jeanne and Roy welcomed their second child into the world, a gorgeous little blonde-haired girl named Robin Rebecca. However, the family would encounter a devastating loss when at just 2 years old, Rusty passed away at Arlington Hospital from cerebral atrophy and edema. In November of 1972, Jeanne, Roy and Robin moved to Fredericksburg – just 6 months after she asked Jesus to be Savior and Lord of her life. She felt she was blessed by her multi-church background which ultimately led her to meet Jesus – her savior, lord and baptizer. Over her lifetime, she really learned to lean on Isaiah 43:1-3 – the scripture the Lord put in her heart the night she received the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

When her granddaughter, NiTasha was born, Jeanne played a huge role in helping her daughter raise her. She and her granddaughter had a special bond and were always extremely close. After 47 years of marriage, on September 21, 2006, her husband Roy passed away at the age of 69 from lung cancer.

Over her lifetime, Jeanne worked for the government, the United States Airforce, and at the Stafford County School Board in the planning division. It goes without saying, Jeanne adored Jesus and gave much of her adult life in service to her churches and her community. She helped build and put the roof on Highway Assembly of God in Fredericksburg where she was a member for years and was active in Women’s Aglow Fellowship for well over 20 years. She worked with Stafford Junction and even became an ordained GCMF minister. While serving in various capacities at Living Word Fellowship Church, she developed a friendship and then romance with Joseph Howell, Sr. They were married on October 1st, 2011.

Outside of church activities, she loved to travel – most especially, to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina with her family and best friend, Barbara Clark. She was a Nascar fan, enjoyed baseball and football and loved playing sports. She loved singing, playing the piano, reading, writing poetry, photography, baking, exploring historical sites and walking in the woods. Most of all, she enjoyed spending time with family and friends.

Jeanne is survived by her husband, Joseph Howell, Sr; her daughter, Robin Waybright, son-in-law, Kevin Waybright, Sr; her one-eyed cat child, Lemony; step-sons, Joseph Howell, Jr., Allen Howell, and Johnny Howell; granddaughter, NiTasha Jackson and grandson, Kevin Waybright, Jr; great-granddaughter, Ayla Balducci and great-grand pup Ella Fitzgerald; and brother James Ralph Suthard.

Family and Friends are invited to Living Word Fellowship Church at 1500 Stafford Ave., Fredericksburg, Virginia for a Celebration of Life Service on Saturday, September 13, 2025 at 1pm.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a memorial fund https://everloved.com/life-of…

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