Howell Bryant Anderson, 80, "retired" on Thursday, April 3, 2025 and went home to be with his Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. When asked over the years about his plans for retirement, he confidently replied "I'll retire three days before my funeral".

Funeral services will be held at Lake Swamp Baptist Church on Sunday, April 6, 2025 at 3:00 PM.  Burial will follow at Byrd Cemetery in Timmonsville, SC.  The family will receive family and friends at Layton-Anderson Funeral Home on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 5:00 to 7:00 PM.

Howell was born in Darlington County, the son of the late Bennie Franklin and Addie Lee Bryant Anderson.  He was a member of Lake Swamp Baptist Church and served on the deacon board for several years. He attended grammar school in Lamar and graduated from Timmonsville High School in 1964. While in school, he worked for Layton-Perry Funeral Home and Furniture Store. Howell met Sue while attending the Cincinnati School of Mortuary Science in February 1967 and received dual licenses in Embalming and Funeral Directing in March.  He affectionately greeted his bride each day with "hello, my love".  In 1971, he went to Fort Dix, New Jersey where he completed basic and military police training. He was assigned to 133 MP Company in the South Carolina Army National Guard and served for 6 years. Howell served as the chief of the Timmonsville Rescue Squad and was honored with an Award of Appreciation for 20 years of dedicated service.  In addition, he served as the Mayor of Timmonsville from 1987 to 1993.  Howell loved his coffee, classic cars, riding his tractor on the farm, tinkering with his lawn mower, cutting grass, taking naps, and watching NASCAR.

He will be remembered for his sincere compassion and understanding for the grieving families he served and his willingness to care for their needs.  Countless families have expressed the comfort and peace he provided them when he arrived to receive their loved one.

Surviving are his wife of 57 years, Sue Martin Anderson; two daughters, Heather Amerson and Kristin (Eric) Snowden; five grandchildren that he adored and loved the "mostest", Luke, Kaylee, Shane (Natalie) Amerson, Dylan and Cassidy Maloney; nephew, Len (Debbie) Taylor; nieces, Tammy (Charles) Knight, Denise (Tony) Morris, DiDi (Gene) Warr; several great-nephews and nieces; countless cousins and a special bonus-daughter and caretaker, Rebekah Poston. He was preceded in death by a brother, Ben Anderson and a sister, Deane Taylor.

Memorials may be made to Lake Swamp Baptist Church, 6568 Oates Hwy., Timmonsville, SC 29161

You are invited to sign the guestbook at www.laytonandersonfh.com