Katherine Pill Howard, 77, died Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2008 at her daughter’s home following a brief illness.
A native of Montgomery, she was the eldest daughter of Howard E. Pill and Margaret Aird Pill, both natives of Birmingham and longtime residents of Montgomery. Her father founded Montgomery radio station WSFA in 1930.
She graduated from the University of Alabama as a Phi Beta Kappa in 1952, and returned to earn a Master’s degree in 1981. After living in Foley, Tuscaloosa, and Mobile, she moved to Birmingham with her children in 1968. She was a Junior League member in Mobile and Birmingham.
A lifelong Episcopalian, she served at various times as church organist, choir member, and church secretary. She attended Cursillo in 1985. Throughout her life, she was unfailingly generous toward those in need, donating regularly to charities as well as individuals.
She served the University of Alabama for twenty years. She was special assistant to UAB presidents Dr. S. Richardson Hill and Dr. Charles McCallum, where she served as liaison to the University Board of Trustees and provided numerous skilled contributions to the President’s office. A skilled writer and grammarian, she freelanced as academic editor for faculty and student authors.
She was preceded in death by her parents; sister Jean Aird Pill McClintock of Mobile; and two nieces, Jean Aird McClintock of Birmingham and Margaret McClintock of Mobile.
Survivors include three children Margaret Howard (the Rev. John T.) Barrow of Birmingham; Ralph O. (Susanne) Howard Jr. of Chamblee, Ga., and H. Edgar (Beth) Howard of Gadsden; grandchildren, Katherine Barrow of Birmingham; Thomas and Daniel Howard of Chamblee, Ga.; and Teddy Howard of Gadsden; the father of her children Ralph O. (Caroline) Howard Sr., of Roswell, Ga; niece, Louise McClintock (James) Finley of Dallas; two cousins, John F. Aird of New York and Mrs. Caswell Robinson of Stone Mountain, Ga.
Visitation will begin at 1 p.m. with a memorial service at 2 p.m. Oct. 11 at Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood, with the Rev. John T. Barrow officiating. Interment will follow at Elmwood Cemetery.
Arrangements are by Ridout’s Valley Chapel, Homewood.
