Dr. Virgil Howell, 69, of Suffolk, retired dentist, died Wednesday, April 30, 2003.

Born on Feb. 22, 1934, in Southampton County, he was a son of the late Mattie Carr and Parker D. Howell Sr.

Dr. Howell was a 1952 graduate of Chuckatuck High, attended Elon College from 1956-1959 and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia School of Dentistry in 1963. He was a member of the American Dental Association, the Virginia Dental Association and the Tidewater Dental Association.

He was a member of the Nags Head Surf Fishing Club, and a charter member of the Kitty Hawk Surf Fishing Team. He was a former member and deacon of Epworth United Methodist Church and Warm Springs Presbyterian Church, and a former member of the Bolar Ruritan Club. Dr. Howell was a member of Oakland Christian Church.

He served in the U.S. Army in the 101st Air Borne Division, and U.S. Army Headquarters in Europe in Karlsrhue, Germany.

Survivors include his daughter, Courtney Howell Harbison of Virginia Beach; son, David Andrew Howell of San Diego, Calif.; brothers, Dr. R. Leroy Howell Sr. of Suffolk; Dr. M.J. Howell of Portsmouth; sister, Evelyn Howell of Portsmouth; and many nieces and nephews.

The memorial service will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday, in Oakland Christian Church by the Rev. Mark Burns.

The family will receive friends following the service.

Memorial donations may be made to Oakland Christian Church Building Fund, P.O. Box 2008, Suffolk, Va., 23434.

R.W. Baker & Co. Funeral Home is handling arrangement.