Howells's husband was called as bishop of their LDS Church ward in 1925. In 1936, Howells wrote articles for the "Improvement Era" which reflected her experience as the wife of a bishop. She was also involved in the church and was the president of Relief Society at the stake level. The couple also contributed significantly to the construction of the Los Angeles Temple, and they bought property next to the temple site so that they could live close by, although they never lived to see its completion in 1956. They were good friends of Heber J. Grant and his wife.