Steve Erskin Howard

STEVE ERSKIN HOWARD departed this life on Friday, July 3, 2020 at Staten Island University Hospital in Staten Island, New York.

Steve was born on October 10, 1953 in Portsmouth, Virginia, the fourth of five children born to Friendly & Rebecca Lillian Howard. Having lost their dad at a young age, when Steve was only two, he and his siblings forged a very close bond that was reinforced by the strength of their God-fearing, hard-working mother. Steve received his elementary and high school education in Portsmouth, Virginia and had a love for books and words from a very young age.

In 1971 Steve moved to Washington, D.C. to study Radio, TV and Film at the University of the District of Columbia. At UDC, Steve was known for his love of black history and the African diaspora. He forged friendships with like-minded colleagues and served as the Editor for the student newspaper, The Falcon, and contributed to the yearbook. Steve’s college friends describe him as a prolific writer, inspiring many of them to find their own voice and power through the written word. After

graduating with an Associate degree, Steve married his wife Charlene Minor. Steve and Charlene were blessed with three beautiful daughters -- Patrice Zakia, Adar Fatima, and Felicia Tulani. Steve achieved success in his field of journalism, working with reputable Washington, DC news outlets such as WTOP News, WOL Radio, and the Washington Informer Newspaper. In March 1987, Steve gave the confession of faith and was baptized at First Baptist Church, Georgetown.

Steve returned to Portsmouth, Virginia in the 1990’s and briefly worked as photographer for Virginia’s first black governor, L. Douglas Wilder. Shortly thereafter, Steve suffered multiple strokes and was unable to  continue  working. Due to the diligent efforts of his nephew, William Maxwell, Jr., Steve was relocated to Staten Island, New York in the early 2000’s to be closer to family and have better access to adequate health care. Steve made miraculous progress after his move to New York and found joy in painting classes and regular visits from family members. His artwork was featured in the Staten Island Advance and he happily shared his paintings with family members, friends and nursing staff. While living on Staten Island, Steve attended Willowbrook Park Baptist Church with his sister, Barbara Maxwell, and her family for many years. In 2010, Steve suffered another stroke and experienced additional health challenges. He subsequently entered Seaview Hospital Rehabilitation Center & Home. Steve was a beloved patient and he was able to spend time with his mother who was also a resident of Seaview at the time.

Steve will be remembered as a kind, happy, quick-witted, smart man. Steve was predeceased by his father, Friendly; mother, Rebecca Lillian; and brothers Franklin, Spencer and Robert. He leaves to cherish his memory, his daughters, Dr. Patrice Z. Howard, Adar F. Howard, and Felicia T. Edwin (Olutobi); sisters, Barbara Maxwell (Frank), Shirley Hinton (Elton), and brother Darnell Myrick; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives and friends.

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