Tuesday, March 28, 2023
I miss my big brother. Howard has been in my life since I was 19. He was committed to his family and that included anyone with whom he was remotely related. That meant he would be there for you, no matter where you were or what you needed.
Howard was a true “Girl Dad” to my 3 beautiful nieces. I watched him wash and fold tiny clothes for them when they were babies and braid hair better than me! They loved their “Dadoo”. He called my daughter Jamie #4 because he treated her just like one of his own. She lived with them one school semester and he and Lynne put her in swimming lessons with the girls.
Howard could fix ANYTHING. If he saw something that needed fixing, he would get on it without you even asking him to do it. I had an ‘85 Honda Accord that had a dent in the fender. We were all at my mom’s house in Hampton and Howard had been outside, probably looking for something to do. He came inside the house and said “I fixed that dent in your car, Shell.” I was so surprised because I thought it would have to be done at a body shop. When I asked how he was able to fix it (not being in a body shop) he smiles and said “I have my ways”.
The last memory that I’ll share is of the time when Jamie bought her first car. She had saved everything she earned at a summer job after her Freshman year at Howard. I was still stationed in Washington state and she wanted to buy a used car when she went back to Virginia. Howard checked the car out from top to bottom before she bought it and helped her set up the insurance, completely alleviating my anxiety about her buying a lemon.
Howard was one of the best people I’ll ever know. He was larger than life in my eyes and I loved him for his genuine, gentle spirit and kind heart. Rest in peace and power, big brother.
Love, Michele (Terry) Forbes
14001 Patrick Henry Hwy
700 Church St