Rev. Dr. Maggie M. Howard

Reverend Maggie M. Howard

Psalm 34:8: “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the man that trusts in Him.”

Reverend Maggie M. Howard’s sun rise began on October 19, 1963 and she concluded her earthly journey on June 13, 2020.  Rev. Howard was one of four children. She had an Eldest brother Benjamin Fields and is survived by a younger brother Harold Wise, followed lastly by a younger sister Maebelle Wise-Costello. She was the 2nd child of Carrie Lee Wise & Leon Jenkins. She also had several half sisters and brothers sired by her father Leon Jenkins. Teranya Jenkins, Deidra Jenkins and Nicole Best. Her Half Brother Grandver Jenkins, Thomas Otis Jenkins and Deleon Jenkins also loved and supported her. Clayton Howard, a construction company owner in NY and NJ was her only son. Kathryn Howard-Pearson, a registered nurse was her only daughter and the mother of her beloved granddaughter, Bryona, currently a student at NY Tech.  She had a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends all who grew to love her and will feel the loss.

As was referenced regarding Martin Luther King a very similar sentence could be used for Rev. Howard.   Fortunately, she had the courage of her convictions.  A lesser person could not have stayed the course, and stay she did. Maggie’s life would spill out of very humble beginnings in Brooklyn that proved to be the corner stones for her life’s achievements. Although her first child would arrive during her attempt to complete high school, in Maggie fashion, she counted it all good.  She completed her education in a GED Program and, of course, lent her assistance to help others achieve their goals.   This reinforced her beliefs that he who feels it knows it and that was the reference from which she conducted her service to God. While she knew her Stapleton neighbors personally and by first names her advanced studies opened doors to mix and mingle with all levels of political and religious leaders, educators, street gangs, and whomever called upon. She continued to advance her education by way of an Associate’s Degree in Finance from Staten Island College.  For her academic achievements she secured employment with the Internal Revenue Service. This experience and advanced academic experiences qualified her to teach a wide range of subjects such as tax law, tax counseling and auditing, adult literacy and more.  Later she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology which enabled her to expand her teaching repertoire to religious courses, management and study plan preparation. Her sense of academic and religious purpose continued as she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Theology from Boulden Seminary. Before long she would be the proud recipient of various certificates and serve as counselor to HIV/ADS patients,  mental health counselor, domestic violence as well as disaster relief preparedness under FEMA’s Project Hope for Hurricane Sandy victims. 

While Maggie had many proud moments her positions as Peer Recovery Coach, a Citizens Police Academy graduate and the responsibility were high on her list.  Additionally, the position of Mediator in the Cease Fire Program, a NYPD initiative to prevent gang related violence provided her with more respect and honor from the community. Anything and everything that provided hope for long life and prosperity she participated in and encouraged others to do the same. In 2018, Rev. Howard received her Family Development Credential as part of a leadership empowerment course.

Revered Howard’s service to Stapleton UAME, (Stapleton Union American Methodist Episcopal), Church began as a member in 1985 and where she would be ordained in 1991.  Her growth continued in early 2000 when she was assigned to Stapleton UAME, located on the North Shore of Staten Island, as Senior Pastor in the oldest African-American church in the Borough. In this position, she would lead the church into practices to promote and uphold social justice, educate youth, feed and clothe people from all over the Island.  She would foster community relationships and civic ties, assist the addicted and homeless and help move them into productive lives of dignity and hope. Under her leadership, Stapleton UAME has continued a reputation as the “church that helps”. In her honor and for her never ending commitment to service she was invited to serve on many Boards, establish programs to honor others for their achievements and was recognized by the Staten Island Advance with the Women of Achievement Award.  In her travels she was Christ like in her efforts as she baptized people in the Jordon River, ministered to individuals in Haiti and Trinidad and visited Liberia as her community was filled with their citizens.  You right have heard her screams of joy when she received her 501 ( c ) 3 for her own non-profit, Operation ROC.  She had spent several years placing the right pieces together as she felt many ills of the community started within communities and it was her intention to help with the revitalization. Although she will not see that through, she planted enough good seeds that a garden will surely grow in its name. Her admission to the Ph.D. Program was received by her with equal joy and will serve as inspiration for young women and men who are attempting to achieve their personal dreams.

Through her travels she carried the word of God and made all efforts to live a life to coincide with her beliefs. Even when a gun was drawn on her as she carried a Bible at a Muslim boarder, she stood steadfast.  She will be remembered by many and for many different events and quotes.  But one that carried much weight in her living and would serve well to remember is, “the word of God says”. These words were used when she began to answer a biblical question.  It served to help you remember the passage and remember the source from which the words derived, God.  In her service to God she followed the instructions of Isiah 1:17 and learned to do right, she did seek justice, she did defend the oppressed and she did take up the cause of the fatherless.  This commitment rendered her a position among the Drum Majors of our time and afforded her a reputation to rest among the Drum Majors of Righteousness. 

Blessings….

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rev. Dr. Maggie M. Howard, please visit our floral store.