Southampton County Virginia USGenWeb Archives Obituaries.....Howard, Richard, 1940 

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RICHARD HOWARD 

R. HOWARD PASSES AT NEWSOMS HOME 

   On Friday morning, December 27 at his home in Newsoms, after reading his 
daily paper, Richard Howard, an hour later, slipped quietly and peacefully 
through the portals of death, into life beyond.  He had been in declining 
health for 16 years but bore this bravely and uncomplainingly, always 
displaying a bright and cheerful disposition even to the end.  During these 
shut-in years he was ministered to and comforted by the loving attention of 
his devoted and faithful wife, who survives him.  He is also survived by his 
sister, Mrs. A.D. Bailey of Newsoms.

   Mr. Howard was born in September, 1865, at the home of his grandparents, 
now known as the Dr. Pretlow place.  The early years of his life were lived 
in Courtland.  He was educated in Franklin at King’s Military Academy.

   At the close of this educational period he accepted the position of clerk 
for Pope and Darden in Newsoms, working for his uncle, the late James D. 
Darden.  In the course of six years he became the partner of his uncle and 
the firm became R. Howard & Co.  At the death of his uncle he entered 
partnership with the late John B. Darden and the firm took the name of 
Darden-Howard Co.

   On April 20, 1898, he was happily married to Miss Virginia Pope, the 
daughter of the late Mrs. Bettie T. Pope of Newsoms. Mr. Howard was largely 
instrumental in organizing the Bank of Newsoms and was its president until 
failing health forces his resignation.  He spent the largest part of his 
life in Newsoms, being always virally interested in all things pertaining 
to the welfare of the village in which he lived.

   In the community his friends were from all walks of life, both white and 
colored, and to him many came for words of advice.  He was never too busy to 
lend a helping hand to those in need.

   While attaining much prominence in civic and business affairs he was until 
the hand of disease seized him most active in the religious affairs of his 
church.  He did not seek or accept political honors, but received with 
humility many honors which his church, Newsoms Methodist, bestowed upon him. 
He held the office of steward and honorary steward until his death, was 
superintendent at various times of his Sunday school and was chairman of the 
building committee of his church, giving freely of his time and talents as 
well as his means, in the remodeling of his church and building of the 
parsonage.  He was for many years the recording secretary of his Conference 
Circuit.

   "Dick Howard," as he was familiarly called, was a courteous Christian 
gentleman of Southern type, making no display of his religion, but living a 
quiet, unpretentious life.

   The funeral service were conducted at the home by his pastor, the Rev. F.L. 
Baker, assisted by the Rev. C.P. Cleveland and the Rev. R.H. marks and Guy 
Picot, who read "Crossing the Bar," by Tennyson.

   The body was laid to rest in Newsoms Cemetery by John B. Darden, Jr., Guy 
Picot, James Woodard, R.B. Story, James Gillette, R.N. Darden Jr., J.T. Story 
Jr., Fenton Matthews, Dr. B.A. Pope and Judge James L. McLemore.  The floral 
offerings were numerous and beautiful. - Communicated.


Richard "Dick" HOWARD, businessman, 
b. Sep 1865, Southampton Co., d. 27 Dec 1940, at home, Newsoms, 
interred in Hollywood Cemetery*, Newsoms, 
"The Tidewater News" (Franklin, VA), Jan. 3, 1941, p. 5 

*His parents are also buried there. 
   Southampton County Historical Society {SCHS} Cemetery Project, 
   Hollywood list (N-41): 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/cemeteries/hollywd.txt 

His widow's obit ("Tidewater News," Jan. 6, 1950, p. 6) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/h630v1ob.txt 

His mother's obit ("Norfolk Virginian," Jan. 5, 1896, p. 8) is posted at: 
   http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/h630j8ob.txt 


Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by 
Mrs. Bruce Saunders (bs4403@verizon.net), 
and re-formatted by File Manager. 

file at: 
http://files.usgwarchives.net/va/southampton/obits/h630r2ob.txt