Howells was devoted to helping children develop artistic skills while learning about spiritual topics. In 1951, she was involved with the publishing of a "The Children Sing," a songbook for Primary children. As Primary president, Howells served as the president of the board of trustees of the Primary Children's Hospital. She helped raise money for the construction of a new hospital through her "buy a brick" campaign. Contributors could donate a dime that would go to the purchase a brick of the hospital. They raised over $20,000. This amount of money bought 203,303 bricks and mortar for the new building. In 1949, ground was broken for the hospital. It was finished 9 months after Howells's death.