Darnell Howard

Darnell Howard, Sr. was born on April 2, 1954 to Mary Howard and the late Larry Lee, Sr. in Statesboro, Georgia. He departed this life on March 31, 2014. He was the long awaited male child of his family in Statesboro. His grandparents, the late William and Clara Howard, his aunts, Martha Riggs and the late Ruth Howard were all eager to assist in his upbringing. They made sure that he was trained up in the ways and knowledge of the Lord. He learned much at the Church of God In Christ of Statesboro, Georgia in his early years.
At eight years of age, Darnell moved to Cincinnati, Ohio with his family and quickly found a church home at Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church of Lincoln Heights, Ohio. He attended Lincoln Heights Elementary and then graduated Princeton High School in 1972. Also during his high school years, he studied to become a barber and achieved his State of Ohio License in barbering. After graduating from high school, he studied machining at Milacron in Cincinnati, Ohio. This knowledge landed him a difficult, yet deserved position at the Xomox Company in Blue Ash, Ohio as a leadman and supervisor.
By the age of 20, Darnell married the late Belvin Howard (Harris) and to that union, one son was born, Darnell Howard II. Darnell worked very hard for his family and made sure that they were well provided for. Darnell was very active in the lives of his brothers and sis-ters, being the elder son, he took this role very seriously. He labored to do what was right and guide them. He wanted each of them to achieve to their potential. Darnell knew the difficulty and burdens of a labor job. He pushed not only his son, but siblings as well, to get a higher education.
Darnell was the neighborhood dad to many young men, friends of his son. He mentored countless young men from his backyard grill, the football field and the barbershop chair. He ministered to so many, to help them not only find their way as men, and held them account-able to that standard.
Darnell found himself lonely and tired after loss of his wife and many years of diligent work. He then married Reinette Cureton (Kilgore) on Sunday morning, June 1, 2008 by Pastor Elliott Cuff at the Lincoln Heights Missionary Baptist Church, and it was good. The couple found love, comfort and companionship in God and each other’s company. The time they spent together was short, but the quality of their bond lacked nothing. Lincoln Heights became their church home and they both sang in the Adult Choir.
Darnell was preceded in death by his father, Larry Lee Sr. and sister, Bonnie Lee Johnson.
He leaves to cherish his memory: Reinette Howard, his dear wife; sons, Darnell Howard II (Kelly), Daniel Cureton, Benjamin Cureton and Gregory Cureton; loving and inspiring mother, Mary Foster; two grandsons, Darnell Howard III and Blake Howard who he loved with all his heart; from his mother, Mary Robinson Foster there are five siblings, Leon Howard (Ilena), Gail Norman, Albert Robinson (Rhonda), Debra Shepherd (Wade) and Mariella Richardson (Chad); from his father, the late Larry Lee, Sr., there are six siblings, Larry Lee, Jr., Bernard Lee, Solomon Lee, Ronald Lee (Jennifer), Barbara Smith (James), Patricia Brumsey (Percy) and Sarah Lee Robinson (Jackie); a very dear cousin, Dr. Alvin Jackson (Gail); a wonderful aunt, Martha Riggs (Floyd); and an aunt, Hazel Allen. Darnell also leaves behind 28 nieces and nephews, nine great-nieces and nephews and a host of other friends, family members cousins and loved ones.