Donald L. Howell Sr.

Published 7:22 pm Monday, May 29, 2017

On May 25, 2017, Donald L. Howell Sr. transitioned to his heavenly home, joining his parents Edith West (Henry “Tel” West, stepfather) and Vincent Richards. Donald was born April 27, 1948, in Manhattan, N.Y., but later moved with his mother to Suffolk.

On Sept. 23, 1970, Donald married the lovely Janice Dorenda Bemory, of Suffolk. Throughout the years, he was a dedicated and loving husband, proud father of two children (Donald Louis Jr. and Scott Michael) and an outstanding grandfather of one (Ariel N.).

Donald was a member of the first graduating class of John F. Kennedy High School in 1966. He worked at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard until he enlisted into the Army in 1968. Donald also worked for the U.S. Postal Service, Norfolk Naval Shipyard and was a New York Life Insurance Underwriter. Donald was a faithful member of Pleasant Union Baptist Church and served as a junior trustee until he decided to follow his mother’s footsteps by joining Tabernacle Christian Church.

Not only is Donald joining his parents, he also is joining his brother, Michael, and his grandparents whom he loved dearly, Mary Howell-Mayfield and George Mayfield. Donald was a devoted grandson, son, brother, husband, father, uncle, grandfather, great-uncle and friend to many. Those left to cherish his memory are his loving and devoted wife of 46 years, Janice; his two sons, Donald “Donnie” Jr., of Washington D.C., and Scott; one grandchild, Ariel, all of Suffolk; his close and loving two sisters, Betty Twitty (LeVin) and Linda Diane West; his sister, Annette Richards; his brothers LTC (R) Ronald Richards (Roz), of Dallas, Texas, and LTC (R) Wayne Richards (Sabrina), of Virginia Beach; a special cousin, Brenda Barnes; his four special sisters-in-law, Marion Wright, of Suffolk, Carol Diggs (Rev. Henry), of Portsmouth, Allie Colbert, of Brooklyn, N.Y., and Mary Duncan, of Yonkers, N.Y.; his uncles, Otis and George Richards, of Suffolk; his two special and close childhood friends, Thomas Lee Montgomery and Charles Phillips, both of Suffolk; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A visitation with the family will be held from 6 to 7 p.m., Wednesday, May 31, 2017, in the Melvin J. Blowe Chapel of Crocker Funeral Home. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Metropolitan Baptist Church, 125 County St., Suffolk. He will be laid to rest in Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery. Condolences to the Howell family may be extended to www.crockerfuneralhome.com. Professional services with dignity have been entrusted to Crocker Funeral Home Inc.