Eric McKinley Howell, known as “E” and “Ten Cent” to friends, was born in Manhattan, New York on November 1, 1972. Born and raised in the Eastchester section of the Bronx, he developed a passion for life and hard work at an early age.
Eric attended DeWitt Clinton High School in the Bronx and later went on to study the HVAC system at DeKalb County in Atlanta and received a Community Home Improvement Certificate from North Carolina A&T State University. Although he called High Point, NC and Atlanta, GA home, he never let go of his ‘New York State of Mind’ and went on to become a union contractor, having started his own contracting businesses, EMS Maintenance and TNT Home Repairs. It was after moving to High Point, where he met Tia Bates. Eric and Tia went on to have two sons, Tendru McKinley Howell and Tylan Jibril Howell, who were his pride and joy.
Eric loved fishing, the Yankees, and sharing good times with family and friends. He was known for his outrageous stories about his life’s adventures and had a special way of staying in touch with the people he cared about. Eric lived his life to the fullest and was undoubtedly the Life of the Party!
In addition to his sons, he leaves behind to cherish his memory, his loving mother, Mabel Bland; father, McKinley Howell Jr; sisters, Natasha Morgan (Patrick), Ebony Howell; brother, Willie Bland; god sisters, Simone McCorkle and Mendora Wright; nephews, Dean Bland, Leon Bland and Malcolm Patterson; niece, Shaekinah Patterson; “adopted” grandmother, Louise Terry; uncles, Nelson Howell (Alana), Larry Howell, Jesse Bland, Anthony Bland (Adriane), Robert Bland (Tee) and Keith Bland; aunts, Clementine Russell, Florence Howell (Fred Hite), Odell Glaspie, Alice Hargrove, Jewell Bland, Barbara Washington (Isaac) and Connie Marshall (Jay); life-long friends, Fernando (Fern), Justice, Lamont, Donovan and Russell (Man); and a host of great aunts, a great, great aunt, a great uncle, cousins, and friends.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 1:00 p.m. at Greater New Hope Baptist Church 902 Meredith Street. The family will receive friends at the church from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Final arrangements are entrusted to Phillips Funeral Service, Inc.
Live stream: https://www.facebook.com/freemanmultimedia/posts/10160825514302502
MY CHILD OF ALL THE PRECIOUD GIFTS IN LIFE HOWEVER GREAT OR SMALL TO HAVE TOU AS MY CHILD WAS THE GREATEST GIFT OF ALL I MISS YOU WITH EVERY BEAT OF MY BROKEN HEART LOVE MAMA and DADDY
This is so hard for me specially just finding out that you transition. Words will never speak for my heart. R I P.
I want You to Know that we still Think about You every day. I miss you every second of the Day. It feels like there is a HOLE in my HEART where You used to Be. I miss your smile your laughter and your sense of Joy. I hope that all of Heaven is celebrating in Your Honor today. HAPPY BIRTHDAY SON Love Always Your Mother💕💕💕💕❤️❤️❤️❤️💕💕💕💕❤️❤️❤️❤️
Eric my brother. I'm going to Miss you like crazy. You left me too soon. I will continue holding down the family. I say your name everyday for Ebony and she always smile. Your memories will never be forgotten. I wont get anymore calls from you and I will say "WHAT PUNK" I always Loved You and I will ALWAYS AND FOREVER LOVE YOU♥️♥️.LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! YOUR SISTER TASHA♥️♥️♥️😢
Our prayers goes out to the family of "Eric McKinley Howell." May God keep you strong and give you the strength to walk his path as you mourn your loss. Henry Lee Howell and family 🙏🏾
Uncle E I will cherish the memories and times we spent together. Thank you for being a positive black man in my life. I love you and miss you. Aunty Mabel and uncle Junnie, thank you for sharing Eric with me.
Love, Malcolm
Eric I miss you sooooo much. We spent the last three and half years together ❤. You was my rock and my best friend !!.. seeing how much you loved your family made me learn to forgive and love my famliy more. words can't even describe how much you meant to me. I'm going to love and cherish the time we spent together for the rest of my life.💞 until we again.. Love Erica 💘
Our deepest condolences to the Bland and Howell Family. For anyone who has ever met Eric in their lifetime can truly say that they were blessed. Eric was the epitome of hard work, an example of humbleness, and pure essence of wisdom. Eric may be physically absent from this world, but he will forever remain a God-given gift that wraps around all of our hearts. We are and will continue to pray for your strength during this difficult time. Sterling Dixon, Jr. & Family
You and the family have my condolences. You know we love you', and Mabel you know you are my big sister and uncle junior you are my big brother.And most of all God knows and see all things and he will strengthen you all.
You and the family have my condolences. You know we love you'll and Mabel you know you are my big sister and uncle junior you are my big brother.And most of all God knows and see all things and he will strengthen you'll.
My big cousin! Am at a loss for words. Eric am going to miss you so much ! Who's going to call me now just to say what's up Mika ! 🥲Tell mom and grandpa John and shanette I love them ! I love you Eric! 🙏🏽 Tamika Edgerton.
Going to miss you my only brother. You always my big brother. Couldn't get out to see you one last time but its probably best i remember you a different way. Love you forever, your little bro Willie S.G.
As long as there are memories, love lives on. The tree of life continues with Tendru and Tylan. You will be missed but not forgotten, Rest in Peace, Ten.
Jimmy & Mary Bates
Sleep in peace cuz may God be with your family at this time we shared memories growing up fly high fam
Luv u , Dre
My Sincere Condolences To The Bland & Howell Family. Rest In Peace Eric. Love Lisa & Dana🕊😘🕊😘💐
Eric darling I am going to miss you dearly. You will always be my lil ECG brother. We all grew up together and had each others back. When I moved to Ga and found out you were 30 minutes from me I was elated. May the Lord continue to give the Bland and Howell family strength. Love you all forever. Big sis Stephanie Garvin-Owsley ECG for life!❤
You was the Ambassador and I was the Boss Put us together we was a powerful force. At all cost !!! I love you Brother you always will be my choice 🥰❤️ Love Boss Ebony
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Uncle Eric would fuss but always help. Anything we needed him to help with he would. I will deeply miss you. I pray that the Lord strengthens us all during this time and, brings comfort. I will keep our memories close to me and, laugh whenever thinking of you. Love always, your niece - Shekinah
To the Bland & Howell family may "The overwhelming, never ending reckless Love of God" bring you peace & comfort at this difficult time. Our deepest sympathies Darryl & Joan Inman
The last time I saw you we spent a whole week together on a cruise! Even though the memories from that trip can last a lifetime. I'm saddened that would be the last time we get to spend together. Thank you for all the laughs and love you showed me. Truly the life of the party! To our family and your loved ones I pray for peace and comfort during this time ❤️ Love, Karin
My deepest condolences go out to the Bland and Howell family. U will truly be missed and remain in my heart always.
Eric you will be greatly missed. Our hearts are heavy and full. Until we meet again. Protect us and guide us. From your family and friends Sleep in Peace. We will always love you 💓.
I know it is hard to let go. And we will miss you dearly. Our hearts are so heavy. My little brother is gone but not forgotten. Sleep in Peace Eric . Until we meet again you will Always be in our hearts 🥰😘. Love you Mable Bland and family.
My deepest condolences to the family. Eric will truly be missed. He was a loving and kind hearted young man. Glad I ran into you on 9/3/2021 and was able to get a hug and see that beautiful smile. May God comfort your family through this difficult time. Rest Easy Eric🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️ Love Bangs
My deepest condolences to the family. Eric will truly be missed. He was a loving and kind hearted young man. Glad I ran into you on 9/3/2021 and was able to get a hug and see that beautiful smile. May God comfort your family through this difficult time. Rest Easy Eric🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️
My deepest condolences go out to the Bland and Howell family... Eric will be deeply missed and will be forever in my heart...
My deepest condolences go out to the Bland and Howell family... Eric will be deeply missed and will forever be in my heart....
Sending Love and prayers to Uncle Junnie and our family and friends. Faith does not make things Easy but it will make it Possible. God will provide the strength through this difficult time. We choose the yellow candle to symbolize Eric's Late Aunt Louise Howell Langston favorite color. Love, Langston Family
May God comfort our family through this difficult time. Earth has no sorrow that Heaven can't heal. Life so young but God has another Angel. I will miss seeing that Awesone smile at our family gathering. RIP Cousin until we meet again. Much love to my Uncle Junnie and our entire family🙏🏽🙏🏽❤❤
Hello family and friends father God I come to you on this day with a heavy heart and heavy mind asking you for grace and mercy father God please be with his family that is going through a storm unknown trial please give them the strength to endure the storm and God give them your sweet embrace the friendship and all the special moments that you have shared with Eric Eric made life seem so easy because whatever he did he made everyone world full of love laugh from your life he left his footprint in the sand Eric was here for a purpose I love Eric Eric take a seat Get Your Wings and where your crown God said job well done my child Eric you're not here but you will never be forgotten and God just gained a special angel your great memories tells your stories sleep in peace nephew much love always in prayer
SANDRA FREEMAN
Hello family and friends father God I come to you on this day with a heavy heart and heavy mind asking you for grace and mercy father God please be with his family that is going through a storm unknown trial please give them the strength to endure the storm and God give them your sweet embrace the friendship and all the special moments that you have shared with Eric Eric made life seem so easy because whatever he did he made everyone world full of love laugh from your life he left his footprint in the sand Eric was here for a purpose I love Eric Eric take a seat Get Your Wings and where your crown God said job well done my child Eric you're not here but you will never be forgotten and God just gained a special angel your great memories tells your stories sleep in peace nephew much love always in prayer
The Arrendy & Spencer Bland Family.
We will all miss you Eric M Howell. A loving and giving person that made us feel important, special and loved. How did he come to know just about all his folks? Cousins, nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, in-laws, friends,; it's just amazing! He is a FAMILY man.To know Eric was to love Eric. No matter what our shortcomings we're, Eric still respected and showed us his love. WE WILL MISS YOU SO! RIP
Cousin... This one is hard for us! Although it's many of us Bland's but it was only one Big head Eric!! The Life of the party who loved his family, friends, and never met a stranger!
You were... The Ambassador, Carpenter, Lawyer, Spokesman, Initiator, and Traveler- oh Eric you was admired by many and loved by all!!
You will be missed! But we will cherish all of the times we had together with laughter, lessons, and love! Watch over all of us...your elders, parents, children, siblings, family and friends!!!
Love Sharie
No one could have asked for a fun loving,jovial,energetic and charismatic brother in law who will be sadly missed eternally,R.I.P. Eric (brother).Love Patrick
Let me start by thanking God for giving me a loving caring and sharing god brother. My Brother was the professor, Mayor and our president; He was everything to all of us. My children every time something went wrong or needed fixing , Ma call uncle Eric he can fix it. Yes one of his many gifts was his hands. He was a master at his craft . Every wall the floors the repairs my list goes on . He will forever dwell in my heart. His favorite words to me hold tight I got you I'm gonna come take care of it. Then he would laugh and say you just like Mabel Bland🥰❤️ Family my heart felt condolences. Jesus will strengthen and bring us through!!!
To the family of Mr. Eric McKinley Howell, The Bible says and all things give thanks. I'm thanking God for the opportunity of meeting such a man and allowing us to be part of the family. A man that could do anything ,from fixing to building. A man with a great sense of humor that doing your most difficult time he could make you laugh. Most of all a man that loved. Eric will truly be missed . Our love and prayers are with always .Be Blessed . Evg. Corvette Smith &Family
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