Pert

Howell

Pert Howell, 81, of Sun City Center, Florida, passed away on November 8, 2026. She was born on November 26, 1944, in Winter Garden, Florida, to Paul Patrick and Evelyn Outlaw Patrick.

Pert graduated from Edgewater High School and began her career in banking. However, anyone who knew Pert knows she was never meant to spend her life sitting behind a desk. Before long, she decided to take a chance on herself and opened her own consignment store, “Pert’s Place.” She loved her store. Pert enjoyed meeting customers, catching up with friends, and, of course, never missing an opportunity for a good conversation. She had a way of making people feel like old friends, even if they had only just walked through the door.

Pert believed in being involved in her community. She was a member of the Brandon Chamber of Commerce and even ran for Honorary Mayor of Brandon in 1986. She also served on the Board of her local chapter of the American Cancer Society. Pert was the kind of person who didn't simply watch life happen; she wanted to be right in the middle of it.

On August 24, 1963, Pert married the love of her life, her late husband, Billy Howell. Together, they built a life filled with love, laughter, music, and memories. Pert loved dancing with Billy to the music of the 1950s and 1960s, and she never seemed to need much convincing when a good song came on. She also enjoyed sharing a glass of wine with her friends, soaking up the sunshine at the beach, and watching beautiful sunsets. She knew how to appreciate the good things in life, and she made sure she enjoyed them.

Pert was truly one of a kind. She was independent, spirited, social, and always on the move. “No grass grew under her feet” was more than just something she liked to say about herself, it was a pretty accurate description. Pert was not the type to sit around waiting for life to come to her. She went looking for it, and she usually brought a few friends along with her.

She is survived by her daughters, Kimberly (Steve) Smith and Heidi Carpentier; grandchildren, Christopher, Lauren, Meghan, and Abbey; great-granddaughter, Parker; and her sister, Redona Simpson. She was preceded in death by her siblings, Paulette and Bubba.

Pert leaves behind a family and countless friends who will miss her laughter, her stories, her friendship, and her unmistakable zest for life. She lived life on her own terms, loved fiercely, stayed busy, and made sure there was always time for a little fun along the way. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered, and knowing Pert, she would probably prefer that everyone raise a glass, put on some good music, and tell a funny story about her rather than sit around being too sad.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to LifePath Hospice for the compassionate care and support they provided to Pert and her family.

A gathering of family and friends will be held to celebrate Pert's life at Serenity Meadows Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., with a Memorial Service beginning at 11:30 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to LifePath Hospice: https://www.chaptershealth.org/chapters-health-foundation/lifepathhospice-donation/