Derek Orlando Howard, Sr.
December 26, 1967 - May 8, 2020
Derek Orlando Howard, Sr., of Wilmington, DE passed away on Friday, May 8, 2020 at the young age of 52.
Born in Bronx, New York on December 26, 1967, he was a son of Dorothy M. (Bazzell) Howard and the late James Orlando Howard III. Derek made his career as a bank collection officer over the years.
He will be remembered as a warm, friendly, and personable individual. Derek was known to both his friends and family for being witty and a jokester. He loved kidding around with his nieces, nephews, and cousins and had affectionately given them all nicknames. Derek was a proud volunteer for the Delaware Special Olympics and would partake in the Polar Bear Plunge. He also took pride in volunteering for the Jimmy Carter work project Habitat for Humanity.
One of Derek’s favorite pastimes was watching television, including the History and Discovery channels and Law & Order, which he was addicted to. He loved cars, music, and video games and was known for his watches, coats and clothes. He enjoyed sports and was a die-hard fan of the NY Giants and the NY Knicks.
In addition to his mother, Derek is survived by his sons, Derek O. Howard, Jr. of Smyrna, DE, Devon J. Howard of Wilmington, DE, Aaron M. Cevis of Wilmington, DE along with partner, Jenika Smallwood; sister, Malinda Williams of Philadelphia, PA; brother, James O. Howard IV and his wife, Toni of Bowie, MD; aunts, Mildred Hill of Moncure, NC, Jean Bazzell of Springdale, MD and Yvonee Bazzell of Dover, DE; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousin and many loving extended family members and friends.
All services will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations for his son Devon may be made payable to Dorothy Howard and mailed to the funeral home, 1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE 19720.
Lynn Moorefield
To the family of Derek, My sincere condolences and prayers go out to all of .you. I worked with Derek at BNY. A really nice guy and a gentleman. May he RIP. Lynn Moorefield
Audrey R Woods
I’m so sorry for the loss of Derek Howard, he was one of my husband’s best friend. My husband Raymond Woods have been taking his passing extremely hard. We are in disbelief. Derek was a dear friend to me. My husband has loss a big brother thru love. I will continue to pray for Derek’s son’s his mother and his girlfriend and his entire family. Derek you will be greatly missed. Rest in peace
We love you forever ❣️
Audrey & Ray Woods 😢😢😪
S. George
Derek. It was great knowing you. Thank you for showing me the ropes in recovery and for continuously making us laugh. No matter what we said you would always say, “I have one better than that”. You will be missed.
Raymond Woods
I met Derek in 1988 and we have been brothers since day one. I am a only child but Derek was my big brother. He is my two children God father and was the best man at my wedding. I talked to Derek a week before he passed on my 50th birthday and as usual we laugh and share words with each other as he talked about his son. I am going to miss calling him up just to say hello. I am going to miss talking about sports and movies and music. I am going to miss telling him that the New York Knicks wont win a championship in basketball. So Derek if you can read this message , you knew i loved you man I want to say thank you for everything you’ve done for me. I will watch over your boys. Uncle Ray will be there for them. Our 32 years of friendship and brother hood meant a lot as we grew from boys to men together. Rest well my friend. I will truly miss you. I love you dude. Your brother, Ray.
Cheryl Tobias Freeman
Derek I will truly miss you. Your wit smart mouth and fast come backs. There would never be no one like you. Rest in Paradise.
Erin C McCartan
A good man, and a good friend to my father, Tom. Thinking of Derek’s family and friends during this time ♡
Michelle Cannon
I am so sorry for your loss and I will continually keep you and your family in my prayers.
Mark and Mary Ann Gladnick
We offer our heartfelt sympathies to the entire family. We will fondly remember the backyard laughs and occasional beer with Derek, his sunny smile and friendship.He will be missed.
Bernice Wells
To Ms. Dot and the entire family,
Only God can heal a broken heart, trust in the Lord and lean not to your own understanding acknowledge God and he will keep you in perfect peace. He he will be with you always. Cherish the wonderful memories. I’m Praying for you stay encouraged..
Love and Prayer,
Bernice Wells
Rhonda Hanna
Derek we will miss you so much. I will miss the talks we had some were funny and some were serious. I haven’t talk to you in awhile but you were always in my heart.now you have joined your dad in God’s home. We love you. God bless
(Citibank's Co-workers of Dorothy Howard)
To: Dorothy Howard and Family
It is with sad eyes and warm hearts that we share in the mourning of your dear son, Derek. He has assumed a new address, taken on wings, soared like an eagle, wearing a brand new robe and dining at the Master’s table. The imprint that he left could never be removed.
May you find peace through our Lord and Savior.
Sharing in your sorrows with much LOVE and PRAYERS,
Your dear friends and co-workers at Citibank
ESSIE SUMPTER-YOUNG
To: Dorothy and Family
Losing a child is not easy, and even in the days to come as you mourn, may God of all comfort and hold you and your family in his loving arms. Genuine love lives forever even beyond the grave. Your dear son, Derek has moved to a different dimension but his love abides in our hearts forever.
Remember, when someone we love becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure.
Deepest condolences, prayers and love,
Essie Sumpter-Young and Family
Paulette Freeman
My condolences to Jenika Smallwood and family. Derek will truly be missed.
Todney Smallwood
OMG, I’m so sorry to hear this news! Because I’m in Maryland now, I didn’t get to know my nephew’s dad, but by all accounts he was a good dude…
My prayers go out to his family and friends and especially my sister Jenika. God bless.
Rebecca Stonebraker
I’m so sorry for your loss Jenika, and the Howard family, you’re in My Thoughts and Prayers, Derek was such an Amazing guy! Sending prayers to y’all!! 🙏🏻💕
Dianne Kelly
To Dorothy Howard and family
Our deepest condolences in the loss of your loving son, Derick. We only met him once but we saw that he was a loving and caring son and I’m sure he will be missed by those who knew and loved him.
Take care my dear friend
Love and prayIng for you
Dianne and Sam Kelly
Daria McCann-Torrance
My prays go out to you my dearest friend. Only those who have walked in your shoes can truly understand how heavy your heart must be. I share in your pain and sorrow with every fiber of my being. Take care my friend and know I’m here for you now and always.
Sincerely,
Daria
Jaren Howard
Derek O. Howard was known to many as a good Father, Uncle, and Friend. He was the loving uncle of me and my siblings Jada and Justen. Uncle Derek showed a lot of love to my siblings and I and had different nicknames for each and every one of us. They were funny and goofy names that he gave us like he was, each described our personalities. We are going to miss him and all the love he brought to our family.
Teddy Sharpe
My sincerest condolences to my God-Sister Dot and extended family! Love y’all!
The Thomas Family
To: Dorothy Howard and Family
We are saddened by the sudden passing of Derek. May God bless your family with peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Tiffany Jeffries
My condolences to the family. I am very sorry for your loss.
Carol
Condolences to your family on your loss. Prayers
Charlene Matthews
I just find out the father of my son has past away. My heart is broken because he will be missed by me and his son Aaron Hill. May God comfort his whole family during this time.
Lydia Quarles
So sorry for your loss of Derek, my Nephew Aaron is going to miss his father 🙏🙏
Carolyn
Our prayers and condolences. Joseph &I have fond loving memories of Derek. Those are the wonderful times that are etched in our hearts..We watched you grow up to be a fine gentleman. We love you ,thank you for the cherished memories. Joseph & Carolyn ..Rest in peace. Amen
Cassandra Stroude
I’m just learning of my dear friend Derek’s passing. We shared a boatload of memories from both high school and college. Although we lost touch over the years, I will always remember Derek as my big brother! Love you Derek! Sleep easy..
Joyce Thompson
Jenika & Howard family, so very sorry to hear about the passing of Derek. May God continue to bless and comfort you all.
Chris Pagliaro
I just found out now that my brother from another mother passed away. I’m deeply saddened and shocked by this news. Derek was the best friend I ever had, period. He was funny, smart and always able to cheer me up no matter what. I wish we could have saw each other more… life is way too fast sometimes. Rest In Peace man … I love you. Chris
Elizabeth Rodriguez
It took a while for me to come in here and it’s still difficult to believe that Derek has gone to eternal rest. However, as his 53rd birthday approaches, I believe it time I face reality. Derek and I met in 2002, becoming very close throughout the years and sharing many wonderful memories together travelling back and forth from Delaware to NY. He became part of my family, so much so that when I had grandbabies, they called him Papa, some where even closer to him then they were to me :). Derek will always be Papa to Lilyana, Layla and Roque, as for me, well he knew what he was and meant to me. I am a strong believer that in life you meet people for a reason, Derek, as you watch over us from heaven you will see the reason why God brought us together.. and for that I want to thank you for allowing me to share part of your life… Happy 53rd birthday in heaven my love, 12/26/2021.. Always in my heart.. Elizabeth…
John Cherwaty
I am so sorry for Derek’s family and friends. As teenagers working at McDonald’s together you couldn’t get much tighter then Derek and I. We had lost touch over the years. I was trying to reconnect with Derek and found out of his passing. Now as I sit here n cry as I type this, n wish I would have stayed in touch. N I could have been there for you. Race didn’t make a difference to us, we were brothers. I love you n will miss you my brother n pray I see you again one day.
Sincerely
Johnny (Flash) Cherwaty
Jenika Smallwood
” Life gets a little easier when you let someone help you carry the load. ”
Before our Father,
I had never been seen so completely, loved so passionately, and protected so fiercely. Derek was courageous, generous, and selfless. I was the best version of me with him. He will always be my One for more reasons than One.
Our little Devon asks for him daily, as he was bigger than life. I’m sorry we didn’t have the little girl that danced in your head.
Thank you for being more than enough. For the father you were. For the bestfriend and lover you were. A year later and it feels like yesterday I lost you. Till we meet again…
Siempre cierto,
Pita
Susan
Miss you my friend happy heavenly Christmas and