Donald Lloyd Howell

Donald Lloyd Howell (One Don), passed away on Friday, August 19, 2022 at the age of 76. He was the second child of Clifford and Edith, born February 28, 1946, in Glengoffe, St Catherine, Jamaica. He attended the Grateful Hill Primary School, St Mary’s College, Mico Teachers’ College where he earned his certificate in teaching, and the University of the West Indies where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and Diploma in Public Administration.

From a tender age, Donald had a passion for imparting knowledge, inculcating positive values and attitudes while molding the lives of others. His dream of becoming a teacher was realized when he sought and gained his first employment at Unity Primary School in St Andrew. Teaching became his choice of career for the rest of his life. He has worked at the Grateful Hill Primary School as a Trained Teacher, Vice Principal of Glengoffe High School, Teacher of History and English at St Hugh's and Excelsior High School and Principal of St Mary Technical High until his retirement.

In 2001 Donald and his family migrated to West Palm, Florida where he continued working in education as a teacher assistant at BAK Middle School of the Arts, Alexander W Dreyfoos School of the Arts and Palm Beach Gardens High School. He worked with the Palm Beach County School District until he became ill in 2020.

Donald met the love of his life and lifelong partner Jennifer James when she joined the staff of Grateful Hill Primary School in January 1970. They got married on August 15, 1975, and were only separated by death when Jennifer passed on April 29, 2022. Donald had six children: Neil, Omar, Omika, Oshika, Okisha and Mikhail. The family man who was very proud of the educational advancement and achievement of his children added Sheryl and Deonne to the household. The grandfather of 12, he was excited about their growth and development, their performance in school, their grasp and understanding of concepts and their use of technology.

Donald grew up in a very close knit family and cherished his siblings dearly. He encouraged and kept abreast of the progress of all his relatives and would ensure that family celebratory events were held, and achievement awards presented to successful recipients. He was the Don and life of every family social gathering. He tended to give speeches or toasts followed by a song or dance which was always received with affirmation and big applause. He is survived by sisters Florence (Bibs), Clinton, Lola, Ray, Yvonne and Mortimer.

Donald’s benevolence knows no boundaries and he can be dubbed as a modern Santa. Friends, family, coworkers and loved ones can be assured of receiving gifts from him during special seasons, events, or travel. Due to the high value placed on academic excellence, Donald for many years has provided annual scholarships and bursaries to children who have achieved high scores in national examinations at the Grateful Hill and Cassava River Primary schools. Students from Glengoffe High School, St Mary Technical High School, St Mary's College, Mico Teachers’ College also benefited from his Annual Trust Fund. Always seeing a need and trying to meet it, Donald also provided funding to various churches.

“Do all the good you can, to all the people you can, in all the ways you can, wherever you can, as long as you can” was the mantra Donald lived by. A very humble, honest, reliable, trustworthy, innovative and creative individual, Donald's life of faithfulness and service has touched the lives of so many.

An Evening of Remembrance for Donald will be held on Friday September 2, 2022 at 6pm at Dorsey E Earl Smith Funeral Home; 3041 Kirk Road, Lake Worth, FL, 33461.

A Funeral service will be held at the Salem Community Church of God, 3200 Roberts Lane, Lake Worth, FL, 33461. The viewing will occur Saturday, September 3 at 10 am; Funeral Service to follow at 11am. Interment will follow at Lake Worth Memory Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dorsey- smithmemorygardens.com for the Howell family.