The joyful and Spirit-filled Celebration of the Life of the Rev. Dr. Cecil Whitney Howard was held at St. James AME Church in St. Louis, Missouri on Wednesday, June 5, 2008. St. James AME Church was filled to capacity. Seven active bishops and one retired bishop were present.
Dr. Clement Fugh opened his remarks with a statement he heard someone make about Dr. Howard, who said, “He’s a clean man,” referring to his
Dr. Howard’s three grown children, Sesselie Howard Thompson, Paula Howard-Pitts and W. Howard Jr., gave warm reflections of their father. Sitting with the large number of family members was Dr. Howard’s mother, Mrs. Lula Howard, who is over 100 years old.
Bishop Vinton Anderson, visibly moved as he delivered the eulogy, spoke of the deep relationship and long friendship he had with Dr. Howard; their relationship extended to over 50 years. Bishop Anderson said that though Cecil was a gentle spirit, he was tenacious, and he knew how to follow through and complete tasks.
The late Reverend Cecil Whitney Howard was a general officer, pastor, preacher, teacher, mentor, confidant, educator, student, ecumenist, father, son, uncle, nephew, grandfather, friend, and public servant. He was also a retiree who didn’t know how to retire; he was as busy as or busier in retirement than he was before.
Dr. Cecil Whitney Howard was born on May 22, 1926 in Cincinnati, Ohio to the union of James Howard and Lula Morgan. After graduating from Vashon High School in St. Louis, he earned degrees from Wilberforce University and Payne Theological Seminary. He earned a Master of Arts degree in History from the Ohio State University; a Master of Religious Education Degree from Central Baptist Theological Seminary, and honorary doctorates from Monrovia College in Liberia, West Africa and Shorter College in Arkansas.
Dr. Howard was joined in marriage to Pauline Jones, who preceded him in death in 1988. Three children were born to this union, Sesselie Howard Thompson of Sacramento, California; Attorney Cecil Whitney Howard, Jr. of Los Angeles; and Paula Howard Pitts of Los Angeles.
Dr. Howard began his ministry at Bethel AME Church in Wellston and also pastored at Bethel AME Church, Reno, Nevada; Carter Memorial AME Church, Fresno; Allen Chapel AME, Kansas City, Missouri; Shorter Chapel AME Church, Denver, St. James AME Church, St. Louis, and Bethel AME Church in San Francisco before being appointed General Secretary of the AME Church in 1991. In 1992, he was unanimously elected as the General Secretary of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
Dr. Howard served on various civic and religious boards. In Denver, he served as Police and Fire Commissioner and in St. Louis, he served on the school board. He was a member of numerous ecumenical and civic organizations. He was a member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.
Dr. Howard leaves to cherish his memory, his mother, Mrs. Lula Howard, his three children, Sesselie Howard Thompson, Cecil W. Howard Jr., Paula Howard-Pitts, sons-in-law, Edward Thompson, and Chester Pitts, two granddaughters, Whitney Marie and Chelsie Sunshine, and three grandsons, twins Chase Jordan and Christopher Morgan, and Bryce Alexander. He is also survived by his uncle, Dr. Gerald Morgan; cousin, Dr. Jay Kevin Morgan and a host of nieces, nephews, other family members, numerous friends and loved ones.