St. Helena Parish, Louisiana Civil Rights Activist Ellis D. Howard, Sr.

Ellis Howard, Sr. was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisa to Charlie and Amanda Howard. He attended elementary school and continued his education thru Home Study Correspondence. Ellis joined church at an early age and was faithfully in church until his health failed. His beginning membership was at Black Creek A.M.E. Church. He later moved his membership to Turner Chapel A.M.E Church where he served as Adult School Class Teacher and Leader.

Ellis was President of the N.A.A. C. P. in St. Helena Parish and worked faithfully with the community assisting everyone with their problems. He was a member of the Masonic Eagle Lodge #212. Ellis was well known in the Greensburg area. He worked hard with civil rights activities and assisted in school desegregation and much more. 

Ellis was preceded in death by his brothers: Charles, Jake and "little" Jake Howard:  5 sisters: Katie Broom, Georetta Thompson, Clara Hampton, Amanda Daniels, Rodesa (Polly) Howard and Joanna Howard: one daughter: Mae H. Carlson: one son: Ellis Howard, Jr.; one grandson: Cedrick Howard; one niece: Joanne Chambers: one great niece: Ollie Gray.

He leave to mourn his loving wife, Bernice Howard; three sones: Thomas, of New Orleans, David of Marrero, James of Marrero; 2 granddaughters: Devina Dewitted and Vernise Howard;  9 grandsons: Jerome, Sanders, Albert, Ron, Rodrick, David, Jr. Thomas, Patrick, James, JR., Joshua and a host of relatives and friends. 

Funeral Program Courtesy of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc. Amite

Reprint from Funeral Program of Ellis D. Howard, Sr. 

Bernice Knighten Howard of St. Helena Parish Was a Civil Rights Activist

Bernice Knighten Howard

Bernice Knighten Howard was born in St. Helena Parish, Louisiana to Thomas and Maggie Knighten in 1919. She attended New Star Elementary School. Bernice joined church at an early age and was in church until her health failed. Her beginning membership was at Black Creek A.M.E. Church. She later moved her membership to Turner Chapel A.M.E. Church where she served as Sunday school  Treasurer.

She worked very hard as a Christian in the church were they raised their family. She love the church family and everybody she came in contact with throughout the church. Mrs. Howard worked sided by side with her husband in the community assisting everyone with their problems. She was well known in the Greensburg area. She worked hard with the civil rights activities, assisted in school desegregation and much more.

Bernice ws preceded in death by her father and mother: Thomas and Maggie Knighten, husband; Ellis Howard, Sr., daughter; Mae H. Carlson; one son: Ellis Howard, Jr.; one son-in-law: Carl Carlson; one grandson: Cedrick Howard.She leaves to mourn her 3 sons: Thomas of New Orleans, David of Marrero, James of Marrero: One brighter: Willis Knighten: two granddaughters: Davina Dewitted and Vernise Howard: nine grandson: Jerome, Sanders, Albert, Ron, Rodrick, David, Jr., Thomas, Patrick, James, Jr., Joshua and host of relatives and friends.

Funeral Program Courtesy of Richardson Funeral Home, Inc., Amite

Reprint for the Funeral Program of Bernice Knighten Howard