She attended the University of Utah and studied physical education and graduated with a bachelor's degree in 1909.

[2] After their marriage, the couple left for San Francisco, California, where David attended law school.

She stayed for a year, and then returned to Salt Lake City to teach physical education at LDS Business College.

She also taught at the Deseret Gym and was employed at the Salt Lake City recreation department.

He had formed a company that purchased and distributed American silent movies throughout Europe and countries around the world.

Howells purchased many items from around the world including candelabras and rugs that decorated her home throughout the years.

In 1936, Howells wrote articles for the Improvement Era which reflected her experience as the wife of a bishop.

After his death, Howells became first counselor to Primary General President May Green Hinckley in 1940 and moved back to Utah to fulfill this responsibility.

It became an instrument to teach children about church principles, while also display the artistic talents and developments of the Primary.

The show was broadcast weekly, and involved children answering questions from a studio audience.

[3] Howells also helped the Primary children collect and donate money for the This is the Place Monument in the park its housed in.

[2] During her tenure as Primary president and editor of The Children's Friend, Howells commissioned a series of paintings by Arnold Friberg depicting scenes from the Book of Mormon in 1950.

[3] Howells was devoted to helping children develop artistic skills while learning about spiritual topics.