05/04/2026
Howard Burton Pickels, 82 of Quitman met his Savior on May 3, 2026 at the Presbyterian Home in Quitman, with his family by his side. Howard was born July 18, 1942 in Lamont, Florida to the late Sam and Annie Bell Pickels. He graduated from Moultrie High School in Moultrie in 1960. Howard married his high school sweetheart, Mary Casteloes on June 17, 1962.
Howard was a member of First Baptist Church Quitman and worked with Senior Adults and went on mission trips with groups from the church. He loved planning trips around the country for the Young at Heart. Howard loved leading and guiding his group of friends and enjoyed going on two mission trips to Peru and ministering there.
Howard worked many years with his brother at Lee & Pickels Drugs and worked in the auto parts and insurance industry as well. He loved spending time with his Class Reunion group of 1960 and planning outings and reunions with them for many years. He loved meeting them for lunch and dinner gatherings and catching up on all the news. This was a very active group.
Howard could always make people laugh. Whether a funny story or a corny joke, he loved to talk to people and never met a stranger. He was always willing to help in any way he could and he met a lot of people in Quitman and Moultrie. He also enjoyed family trips from taking his children from when they were young to continuing with taking his grandchildren on trips. There was always a good time to be had.
Survivors include hhis daughter, Karen (Sammy) Hiers of Quitman; son, Anthony (Krista) Pickels of Ochlocknee; grandchildren, Savanna "Jazzi" Pickels of Quitman, Traci Ann Moschetto (Joseph) of Quitman; brother, Alvan Jerrel (Charlotte) Pickels of Quincy, FL; sister-in-law, Ola Mae Pickels of Quitman; and numerous nieces and nephews. Howard was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Casteloes Pickels; parents, Sam & Annie Bell Pickels; granddaughter, Mary Margaret Pickels "Mimi"; sisters, Lucille Barricklow and Linda Rice; and brother, Curtis Pickels.
Funeral services will be held Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at First Baptist Church Quitman with Rev. Sammy Hiers, Rev. Steve Shierling and Rev. Larry Harris officiating. Intermet will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. The family will be receiving friends Tuesday, May 5, 2026 from 6-8 p.m. at Maxwell - Purvis Funeral Home.