Herman A. Howard, 83, transitioned from this life at the Laurels of Charlottesville September 2, 2024. Born March 30, 1941, he was the son of the late Robert Lewis Howard and Maggie M. Barbour; preceded in death by his first wife Doris Smith Howard, brothers Lankston Lewis Howard, Nelson A. Howard, and beloved cousin Dale Barbour.

He was a member of Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in Browns Cove in childhood and in his adult life, a Burley High School Alum and Vietnam Veteran earning the rank of SP4. The unit he served in during his term of service, the 1-7 Air Cavalry Air Mobile Division was one of the best trained units in the history of the U.S. military. The movie We Were Soldiers released in 2002 was dedicated to the 1st Cavalry Air Mobile Division of 1965.

Herman worked at Acme Visible Records in Crozet for over twenty years and retired from Allied Concrete in Charlottesville. He was a very skilled worker who after service apprenticed as a printer, but also worked as a welder and maintenance mechanic. Herman performed ninety percent of the labor on the homes that he owned, rare in those times and unheard of today. His shop of tools left the best mechanics and craftsman speechless, and he could detail the use of all of them.

He leaves to cherish his memory, wife Doris Payne Howard of Charlottesville; sons Darrell J. Howard of Barboursville and Cranston V. Smith of Keene; daughters Roxanne M. Jones of Charlottesville and Hermina “Tina” Jones of Newport News; nine grandchildren; seven great grandchildren; one remaining sibling, sister and matriarch of the family Mary Howard Jones of Browns Cove; two brothers in-law, Lloyd Payne Goochland and Gary Payne of Richmond; three sisters-in-law, Patricia P. Harris, Roslyn P. Hawkins, and Cassandra P. Pace; and several nieces, nephews and cousins; lifelong friends; four former brothers in-law; one sister in-law of the Smith family; and lifelong friend Phil Estes of Charlottesville.

Herman was a friendly person always willing to aid and help his family and friends. He was meticulous when it came to his cars and his lawn where he was usually found working in his later years. The Motown Temptations made his favorite music that brought a smile to his face in his last days. He is well remembered and missed by many.

For more on services and to share your condolences, visit JF Bell Funeral Home.