Mary Lee Quesinberry Howlett was born August 5, 1929 to Rufus Melvin and Mary Ann Coleman Quesinberry in Galax, VA. She was their second child and the oldest daughter born to the family of five. Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, William Alfred Howlett, Jr. as well as her brothers and sisters, Ray Quesinberry, Cecil Quesinberry, Betty Quesinberry Lindsey and Gloria Mae Quesinberry Fowler. She was also preceded by a nephew Ted Jefferson Quesinberry.

Mary Lee graduated from Woodlawn High School in 1947 where she lettered in Girls Softball. After graduation, she went to work in Galax and helped support her family. On November 13, 1951 she married the love of her life, Alfred.

Mary Lee joined the Coulson Church of the Brethren in 1953 and she and Alfred were baptized together. She served her Church as Youth Leader, Vacation Bible School Teacher, participated in the Lord's Acres Sales and other fund raisers for the Church.

Mary Lee was also a member of the Red Hat Ladies, Charter member of the Carroll County Republican Women and a lifetime member of the Hillsville VFW Post 1115 Auxiliary.

During her 30's she returned to school to become a licensed cosmetician then continued her studies to get her teaching certificate at VPI and SU. She began her teaching career at Carroll County High School in the fall of 1969 where she retired in the spring of 1992. She served as a VICA sponsor for most of her career and was so proud of her students' success in competitions and in successful conclusion of their studies with licensing from the Commonwealth of Virginia. She loved her students but never put up with nonsense and expected their best performance.

Her most important and best loved activity was taking care of her family. She was second mother to her grandchildren and nieces and nephews. They all gathered at her house where they were cared for any time of day or night. All family members celebrated good times at her house. Her kitchen table was where Mary Lee and Alfred gave support during trying times and helped solve problems. No one was ever turned away. Her caring and capacity was best demonstrated when she helped her siblings care for their mother and when she cared for her mother-in-law in the same compassionate manner.

Left to morn her loss and cherish her life and memory are as follows: Daughter and Son-in-law, Carolyn Mary and Richard Lindsay Honeycutt; Grandchildren and spouse, William Richard Honeycutt and Lindsay Howlett Honeycutt and Miranda Davis Honeycutt; Great-grandchild, Violet Sarah Honeycutt; Sisters-in-law, Inda Mae Quesinberry, Mary Ellen Quesinberry, and Jewel Howlett; Several Nieces, Nephews, Grand Nieces and Nephews, and Great Grand Nieces and Nephews.

Funeral services will be held on Sunday, December 6, 2020 at Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel at 2:00 PM with Rev. Harold Boyd and Rev. Dina Clower officiating.  Burial will follow in the North End Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Coulson Church of the Brethren and /or Woodlawn United Methodist Church.

Vaughan-Guynn-McGrady Chapel is serving the family.

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