Celebrating the life of Representative Henry L. Howard, 1930-2005, Friday, October 7, 2005, 1:00 p.m., Good Shepherd Missionary Baptist Church, Augusta, Georgia, the Reverend Clyde Hill, Sr., presiding

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2005

Friday, October 7, 2005 ~ 1:00 P.M. Augusta, Georgia
The Reverend Clyde Hill, Sr. - Presiding

Henry Lee Howard, was born June 18,1930, in Augusta, Geor

gia, the only child, to the late Lenora Collier and the late Frank Howard.

He was preceded in death by two previous spouses, his son, Ronald Keith

Howard, and great-grandson, Brandon Marquise Howard. God called his

name into eternal life on Monday, October 3, 2005, at the University Hos

pital at 1:25 a.m.

As a child, he was very obedient to his mother. She raised him

with a stern hand. As he grew as a man, he was extremely humble and

kind to others. He attended elementary school in Augusta-Richmond

County. In high school he served as president of the freshman class, 1946.

He graduated from the A.R. Johnson High School (now C.T. Walker) in

1951.

He began working immediately after completing high school to help

his mother along the way. He also started to sing in quartet groups on the

weekends and soon began his own group called the "Spirits of Harmony."

Under his leadership the group traveled all over the states of Georgia and

South Carolina and recorded three albums.

He was a faithful member of Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church

for sixty years. He was a loyal and devoted Deacon who served untiringly.

He instituted various ministries and community projects. He was instru

mental in the organization of the New Savannah Road Social Services

Program, Inc.

He worked at Davidsons Department Store and in the warehouse

and furniture departments of J.B. White. After years of working for these

establishments, he decided to open his own business where he learned the

trade of reupholstering and refinishing furniture. As Howards Upholstery

and his kids grew, he began to teach them the trade of reupholstering furni

ture. He taught them at a fast pace, because he learned and knew the

importance of training up a child in the way he should go, just as his mother

taught him. We all worked hard many late hours, because the bible teaches

us that, "When night comes no man can work." We can truly say that he

worked until his day was done.

In 1970, Henry Howard was the first African American to co-host

the Sunday morning gospel program, The Parade of Quartets (POQ) in

which he eventually became the Executive Producer. The Parade of Quar

tets is the longest running gospel production in the United States. Henry,

along with his son Karlton, was the weekly host on Sunday mornings on

WJBF Television. They recently celebrated their 50th year anniversary.

Henry s political career began in Augusta as a Commissioner of Rich

mond County in 1985. He served on the Board of Commission until 1990.

In 1990, He was elected to the Georgia State House of Representatives,

and served until his death. He was Chairman of the Richmond County

Legislative Delegation and the Augusta Chapter of Black Elected Officials.

While serving as State Representative of the 121 st District, he chaired the

Human Relations and Aging Committee, The Economic Development

and Tourism, Science and Technology and the Transportation Commit

tees.

.

-,

Representative Henry Howard made tremendous contributions in promoting the passage of legislation that has greatly benefited the Au gusta-Richmond County area and the State of Georgia. He was a spiri tual man who loved God and church. He was a gentleman, statesman, a servant of mankind, and a loving, kind and dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather.
He leaves to cherish his memory: a loving wife, Eamestine Howard; six sons, Vincent L. (Vickie) Howard, Rev. Karlton L. (Dianne) Howard, Zackary L. (LaTisha) Howard, Henry D. (Cassandra) Howard, Vertiz (Delilah) Howard all of Augusta, and Reginald Thomas, Lithonia, GA; five daughters, Valeric (Maurice) Smith, Jerrilyn D. Howard, Farren R. Howard, Carla Thomas, all of Augusta, and Katina (Arthur) Hall, Lithonia, GA; 34 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; a mother-in-law; six brothersin-law and sisters-in-law; and a host of cousins, relatives, and friends.
1930 - 2005

Reverend Clyde Hill, Sr. ~ Presiding Minister

,.

Pastor, Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

Prelude/Selection

*

Green Grove Mass Choir

Processional

Scriptures
Old Testament
New Testament

. ^ "V-H*

Rev. Gordon Thomas Ross Grove Baptist Church
Rev. Otis Moss III Tabernacle Baptist Church

Prayer

Rev. Dr. Rosa Williams Everfaithful Baptist Church

Selection

Green Grove Mass Choir

Words of Encouragement

Rev. Lessel Leonard Green Grove Baptist Church

Solo

Ms. Veronica Lynch

Mt. Calvary Baptist Church

As I Knew Henry ...

i.

Mr. JackUsry

Dea. Demus Lenard, Green Grove Baptist Church

Rep. Tyrone Brooks, Georgia State House of Representatives

Judge Carlisle Overstreet

?

Tribute

Daughter Farren/Grandchildren

Acknowledgements and Resolutions

^ "*_

V

The Honorable Mayor Willie Mays

Proclamation from the State of Georgia ... Rep. Quincy Murphy

Selection

Green Grove Mass Choir ,

Eulogy

Rev. Karlton L. Howard Noahs Ark Baptist Church

Recessional

Interment

.

1 &

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Walker Memorial Park

? *+

~ RePast ~

Green Grove Baptist Church Fellowship Hall

My Last Request *

Please dont say that I gave up,

just say that I gave in.

Dont say I lost the battle,

for it was Gods war to lose or win.

Please dont say how good I was,

but that I did my best.

Just say I tried to do whats right,

to give the most I could, not to do less.

Please dont give me wings or halos,

thats for God to do.

I want no more than I desire, *

no extras, just 17131 aue -

Please dont give flowers,

or talk in harsh tones.

Dont be concerned about me now,

.,(*<* Im well with God; Ive made it home.

Dont talk about what could have been,

its over and its done.

,* .

Just see to all my familys needs,

the battle has been won.

When you draw a picture of me,

dont draw me as a saint,

Ive done some good, Ive done some wrong,

so use all your paint.

Not just the bright and light tones,

use some gray and dark

In fact, dont put me down on canvas,

paint me in your heart.

Dont just remember all the good times,

but remember all the bad.

For life is full of many things,

some happy and some sad.

But if you must do something,

then I have one last request.

Forgive me for the wrongs Ive done

and with the love thats left,

Thank God for my souls resting,

Thank God for all who loved me,

Praise God who loved me best.

GRANDSONS

Keith Howard

Vincent Howard

Vertiz Howard, Jr.

Jermaine Howard

Delvin Howard

Zackary Howard, Jr.

Nicholas Thomas

Julius Howard

Kenneth Corsey, Jr.

Henry B. Howard

^
Deacons of Green Grove Missionary Baptist Church

The Spirits of Harmony

^ W7BF Management and Staff

Parade of Quartets Family

?

State of Georgia Officials

Neighborhood Alliance

Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials (GABEO)

$.

* Black Legislative Caucus

r **** AR jonnson Class of 1951

Friends, Family and Ushers

The family of late Georgia Rep. Henry L. Howard asks that in lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to: The Henry Howard Educational Fund, First Bank, 1580 Walton Way, Augusta, GA, 30904.

Words can not adequately express the gratitude of our hearts for all the

expressions of kindness, concerns and sympathy extended to this family

during our bereavement. Your prayers, phone calls, visits, and cards

have helped to ease the extent of our sorrow. May God richly bless each

of you.

... The Howard Family . . .

Services Entrusted To
"Professional Service A Family Tradition Since 1 922 1221 James Brown Boulevard - Augusta, Georgia