Deborah Howard

Debra Utiva Howard, affectionately called “Sister” by her family, was born November 28, 1950 in Rincon, Georgia to the late Fleming and Gladys Howard. Debra was the eldest girl of nine children and the twin to her brother Trudell Howard. God called Debra to her heavenly home on Wednesday, November 29, 2018 in Atlanta, GA. Debra was a long-time resident of Florida, after her family relocated to Pompano Beach, Florida in 1956. She is a graduate of Blanche Ely High School. After high school, she had a successful career, mostly in Customer Service, a job that perfectly matched her outgoing personality. Debra’s career spanned three places – Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Alexandria, VA; and Atlanta, GA. Debra relocated to the metropolitan Washington, DC area, in 2003 to help provide care for her grandson Charles III, who preceded her in death in September 2006. Debra moved back to Atlanta, GA, after the death of Charles III, but returned in 2008 to assist with care for another grandson, Chase, in 2008. Throughout her relocations, she remained a member of St. James Missionary Baptist Church, where she was baptized by her brother, Rev. Dr. Wylie L. Howard, Sr. Debra was preceded in death by her son Vencinn Irrocah “Rocky” Howard, her grandson Charles Johnson, III, parents Fleming and Gladys Howard, her brother Donnell Howard, and sister-in-law Louise Howard. God saw Sister was growing weary therefore she answered the call on her birthday, Wednesday, November 28, 2018 around 5:30pm. In addition to a host of family and friends, Debra leaves fond memories in the hearts of her immediate family, Children: son Dylan Lenard Bryant (Brenda) of Atlanta, Georgia and daughter LeToya A. Bryant-Johnson (Charles) of Brandywine, Maryland; Siblings: five brothers Fleming Norris Howard, Arthur James Howard (Yvonne), Rev. Dr. Wylie Howard (Celestine), Vernon Russell Howard, and Percy Howard of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Trudell Howard (Neatha) of Savannah, Georgia, and one sister Shirlene Watson of Pompano Beach, Florida; Grandchildren: granddaughters Mia White, Crystal Bryant, Brittnee Bryant, Ashley Bryant, Dylan Bryant, Jr. and Chase Johnson; Great Grandchildren: Kalea White and Kailee Bryant and Kalea White.

Deborah Howard

November 28, 1950 - November 29, 2018