Jan Hemphill Howell's Obituary
Jan Elizabeth Hemphill Howell passed away peacefully on December 9, 2024, at the age of 84. Her life was marked by her faith, a commitment to service, and a deep love for those around her.
Funeral service to be held Wednesday, 2:00pm at Restland Funeral Home in Wild Wood Chapel
13005 Greenville Ave Dallas, Texas 75243.
Born on June 6, 1940, in Dallas, Texas, Jan was the cherished daughter of William Robert Hemphill and Viola White Hemphill and the beloved sister of Nancy St. Amand and Patsy Douthat. She is survived by her dear niece Diane Finch and her husband, Charles Finch, as well as her nephews Doug Hampton and Ric Douthat. She also leaves behind several great-nieces and great-nephews.
Jan was raised in University Park and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1958. From an early age, Jan aspired to become an attorney, a dream she fulfilled after earning her BA from Texas Tech University in 1962 and her JD from Baylor Law School in 1964. Jan’s legal career was marked by dedication and integrity. From 1990 to 1992, she served as a Dallas County District Judge in the Criminal District Court, leaving a lasting impact on the community she so dearly loved.
Jan met the love of her life, Frank Howell, a court reporter, at the courthouse. They were married on June 6, 1978, and together they shared a life married for 44 years. Jan and Frank adored their many dog "children," with their most recent being Drew, who brought much joy into their lives. Together, Jan and Frank enjoyed peaceful days at their lake house on Lake Lydia and adventurous travels to favorite destinations like Rome, Florence, Venice, Spain, and Belgium.
Jan's service extended beyond the courtroom, as she was involved in numerous organizations. She was honored to serve as President of the Dallas County Criminal Bar Association and President of Altrusa of Dallas. Her leadership and generosity were evident in all she did.
After years in private law practice, Jan retired in 1996, embracing a life enriched by her family and friends. Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 23 and she often expressed gratitude for the abundance in her life with the phrase, "My cup runneth over!"
Jan has now found eternal peace with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Her legacy of love, kindness, and service will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.
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