Whether family, church members, students or friends, Doreen Barrows Howard had a gift for edifying and encouraging the best in others. She was born in Colon, Panama on January 27, 1932, the seventh of nine children of Albert Leon and Lena Campbell Barrows and at the age of 12, committed her life and heart to Jesus Christ as a faithful servant in the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She passed away on April 11, 2021, in the loving care of her daughter and family with whom she lived since 2019.
On December 25, 1955, Doreen married Joseph N. Howard Sr. and had two daughters. In the early 1960’s the family moved from Panama to Brooklyn, New York and there, Joseph N. Howard, Jr., aka Joey, was born. She was a loving and devoted wife and mother, excellent cook, wedding decorator/coordinator and an impeccable homemaker. She provided a stable Christian home for her family. Almost every morning at 7 am family worship was done, starting with song “Father Lead me Day by Day”, then Psalms 91 and 121. That was the children’s introduction to the Lord.
Doreen, also known as “Sister Howard”, was an active member of the Brooklyn Temple Seventh Day Adventist Church in Brooklyn, NY and served as Sabbath School Superintendent, AY leader, young deaconess and member of the bible bowl team. As Sabbath school superintendent, she welcomed every guest, and loved him or her into the church. After church, it was not unusual for Doreen to invite the visitors to her home for food and fellowship. Her life was centered on God, her children and the church and she was a praying mother not only for her own, but also for every mother’s child.
In the late 1960’s she began her career in education as a kindergarten teacher with the Brooklyn Temple Seventh Day Adventist Parochial School. Later she worked for the New York City of Employment division as a counselor and received many accolades, certificates and was acknowledged by New York City Mayor Abraham Beame, for having the most graduates under her teaching and advisement. Doreen received her Associates degree from Medgar Evers College (now Medgar Evers University) with summa cum laude honors and later her bachelor’s degree from CUNY Baccalaureate University. Doreen was employed with Medgar Evers College as administrative assistant of bilingual studies followed by teacher of secretarial studies at Pace University in Brooklyn, NY. In 1987, she moved to Greensboro, North Carolina in search of a warmer climate and continued educating students as Director of the East Market Street Seventh Day Adventist Day Care Center and teacher of bilingual studies at the church school academy. In 1991, she retired from teaching and in 1999 moved to Florida where she remained until her move back to Greensboro in 2019.
She leaves to cherish her memories her beloved children, Melinda Mercedes Howard of Brooklyn, NY, Princella Josefina Ibrahim (Dr. Jimo G. Ibrahim) of Greensboro, NC and Joseph Nathaniel Howard, Jr. (Dyanna) of Pearland, TX; grandchildren, Aharon Emmanuel Howard Southerland, Kaylan Ayanna Jorden, Joshua Quinton Jayden Howard, Sarauniya Doreen Mariama Ibrahim and Alejandro Anwar Albert Ibrahim; brothers, Oswald “Popsie” Barrows, sisters, Pauline Kennedy, Natalia “Sweetie” Yarde, and Maria “Sugar” Ortiz; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to her parents, her husband Joseph Nathaniel Howard Sr., three brothers, Woodrow Ward, Ivanhoe and Marcus Davis and sister, Louise Barrows, preceded her in death.
The family will receive family and friends from 5 to 7 PM, April 21 at Hanes-Lineberry Funeral Home N. Elm Chapel in Greensboro. On Thursday, April 22, her life will be celebrated at 6 PM, at Greensboro Seventh Day Adventist Church, officiated by Pastor John Pooler. She will be laid to rest on Friday, April 23 at 11 AM at Forest Lawn Cemetery.
Online condolences may be offered at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com.
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