Deacon Gregory Leon Howard

The song has ended, but the melody lingers on. . . . . . .

Gregory Leon Howard was born April 28, 1958, in Dalzell, South Carolina to the late Levi Howard and Cornelia Rivers Howard Singleton. Gregory was born the third oldest child of four to this union. He departed his earthly home on Wednesday, May 21, 2025.

Gregory and his family relocated to Wyandanch, New York, from Dalzell, South Carolina, in 1967, where he attended and graduated from Wyandanch High School in 1976. As an exceptional athlete, he obtained an athletic scholarship to Allen University in Columbia, South Carolina, where he participated in many sports. He played soccer and baseball for Allen University, but his passion was baseball, at which he excelled and became a star pitcher. After college, he played baseball for the Sumter Gamecock League (Expo’s) for seven years. Gregory earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education. Gregory has inspired many lives through coaching and mentoring on a daily basis impacting lives forever.

Gregory was employed at United Parcel Service for seventeen years, and the City of Columbia Parks and Recreation for twenty-eight years. He also worked at The Department of Disabilities and Special Needs, where he met the love of his life, Janice Howell Howard.

Gregory and Janice were united in holy matrimony on a hot summer’s day on August 19, 1989. This consecrated union lasted for thirty-six years. Gregory and Janice were the love of each other’s lives. She will continue to hold him in her heart.

Gregory and Janice became lifetime members of the Miracle Deliverance Temple in 2008, under the leadership of the Honorable Pastor Doris Schuler, where he was a faithful usher and youth sunday schoolteacher. He was also ordained as a Deacon in May of 2019. He loved his church with all his heart.

Gregory was preceded in death by his brother Bryant Howard, Wyandanch, New York; his sister, Barbara Denise Robinson of Deer Park, New York and Cathyrn Howard of Wyandanch, New York.

He is survived by his devoted wife, Mrs. Janice Howell Howard; four sisters in law, Stella Howell Green (Marion) of Leavenworth, Kansas, Loretta Howell of Charlotte, North Carolina, Janette Howell Faulks (Vesco) of Columbia, South Carolina, Mary Frances Howell, of Columbia, South Carolina; brothers in law, Alcott Howell Jr. of Columbia, South Carolina, Henry Robinson Sr. of Deer Park, New York; uncle, James Howard of Bridgeport, Connecticut, and Lawerence Kershaw of Dalzell, South Carolina; aunt, Bernice Rivers of Dalzell, South Carolina; a gifted beloved aunt, Josephine Marie Callahan of Wyandanch, New York; a gifted daughter, Emani Pelzer; and three gifted granddaughters of Charlotte, North Carolina; a gifted little sister, Julia Keitt of Hopkins, South Carolina; a host of loving nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, co-workers, and neighbors, and who will cherish his memory.

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