Howard Edwin Turnipseed

TURNIPSEED, Howard E., age 72, was born in Jonesboro, Georgia, to the late Clifford Howard and Evelyn Gresham Turnipseed. Howard attended Jonesboro Colored Elementary School, W. A. Fountain High School, Clark (Bachelors of Administration 1969) and University of Utah (Masters of Business Administration). Howard began working for the City of Atlanta with the Model Cities Program in 1969. Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the United States Army to serve during the Vietnam war. Due to an adverse reaction to vaccination, he was transferred from Vietnam to Germany, where he continued to serve honorably in the Judge Advocate General (JAG) office achieving the rank of Sergeant, which he held until he was honorably discharged in July 1971. Howard received various decorations, awards, and medals, including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, and Army Commendation Medal. Upon returning home, Howard resumed his employment with the City of Atlanta, working with various departments and divisions, including the Bureau of Human Services (Housing and Physical Development), the Atlanta Business League, and the Department of Aviation. Howard spent the last 32 years of his career in the Department of Aviation, as a Senior Real Estate Specialist and Supervisor in the Maintenance Division. He retired in December 2019 with 50 years of dedicated service with the City of Atlanta. At an early age, Howard became a member of Andrews Chapel United Methodist Church and accepted God's call to make disciples by becoming active in the church’s ministries. Through the years, he served in many ministries and leadership roles, which included the Voices of Faith (formerly Choir #2), Men’s Sunday School class, Disciple I Bible Study, Trustee Board and the President of the Voices of Faith from 1997 to 2012. He was actively involved with the United Methodist Men (UMM) and served as the President from 2001 to 2009, President of the Griffin District UMM (2010) and as the Vice President of Membership, Charter, and Organization in the North Georgia Conference. He also attended the North Georgia Men’s Walk to Emmaus as a pilgrim and served the North Georgia and Atlanta South Emmaus communities for many years. He helped to launch a new church start at Impact UMC, where he enthusiastically joined the Transportation Team and the Men’s Group. During Howard’s renewed worship, service and spiritual nurture at ACUMC, he met the love of his life, Stephenie Gayle Brown. Howard and Stephenie were married on August 26, 1978 by the late Bishop Cornelius L. Henderson. They grew their family to five, including their three children, Edwin, Adriane and Elece in Jonesboro, Georgia. As with everything Howard did, he was committed to, pursued the best for, and joyfully doted on his family at all times. Early in their marriage, Howard worked two jobs and eventually established a lawn care service to ensure his family’s needs and wants were met. To know Howard was to know how much he loved his family and was extremely proud of each of them. Every accomplishment was a reason to celebrate, as two of his favorite expressions “this thing (life) isn’t a dress rehearsal” and “you only come through here one time” undergirded the festive occasions. While enjoying life, Howard would not hesitate to verbally express the goodness of God and proclaim that he was truly blessed. Howard passed away February 28, 2020, surrounded by his wife, children and special friends. He is survived by his wife, Stephenie; his son, Edwin (Melissa); his two daughters, Adriane and Elece, future son-in-law Robert Lawrence, Jr.; his three granddaughters, Emani, Erynn, and Emeri Turnipseed; his siblings, Dorothy (Elmer) Keys, Jean (the late Henry) Andrews; brother, Winston Turnipseed; special cousins Ira and Angerla Turnipseed;sister-in-law, Sabrina Kennedy and special friends, Carrie Price, Howard (Gerry) Evans and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his father and mother; sisters, Ethel Carleva Lowe and Barbara Welborn; and brother, Alfred Turnipseed. His Celebration of Life Service will take place Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Andrews Chapel UMC, 122 Watterson St. Jonesboro, GA 30236 at noon. Rev. Donald Reed, Pastor. Inurnment Jonesboro City Cemetery.

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Howard Edwin Turnipseed

May 15, 1947 - February 28, 2020