Eugene Howell, Sr. of Victoria, Virginia, peacefully departed this life April 27, 2006 from the Heritage Hall Nursing Home in Blackstone, Virginia after a long illness.  He was 76.

He was born September 2, 1929 to the late Zollie and Mabel Hairston Howell, in Eckman, West Virginia. Gene - as he was known--was the eldest and only son of the five children born of that union. Two sisters, Florida Elizabeth King and Camilla Josephine Howell predeceased him. The surviving sisters are Loretta Howell of Ridgeway, Virginia and Carol Blondell Galloway of Eatonton, Georgia.

Gene received his early education in the public schools in Eckman and graduated from Kimball High School in Keystone, West Virginia in 1948.  Upon graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army to further his education and enrolled in a new field, Medical Laboratory Technology, attending classes at the Army's medical department center and school during his tour of duty in the Korean War. When he was honorably discharged in 1952, he became one of the first medical technologists in the United States and later took additional course work in his field at New York University.

While he was stationed at Fort Slocum, in New Rochelle, New York, he met the love of his life at a USO gathering: Ethel Lee Davis. After a brief courtship, they married on September 12, 1953 and were to remain a couple for over 52 years.  After they settled in Yonkers, New York, two children were born from this union:  Eugene, Jr. and Eric Wayne.

Under the direction of Dr. George Sharnoff, Gene became the first African American to be hired in 1952 as medical technologist in the Mount Vernon (New York) Hospital laboratory and eventually headed its Hematology Department.  For the next 39 years until his retirement, Gene was the technologist Mount Vernon patients sought for blood tests, because of his engaging personality and "he didn't hurt."

Gene belonged to various organizations during his lifetime.  He became a member of the Messiah Baptist Church in Yonkers, New York in 1953, where he became a choir member, Sunday school teacher, trustee and deacon. When he retired in 1991, Gene became a member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Rehoboth, Virginia, where he served as a deacon.

He was a member and a Past Worshipful Master of Cornerstone Lodge No. 33 A. F. & A. Masons and a Knights Templar at St. Matthews Commandery No. 6, both in Mount Vernon, New York.

Gene was also a member of Senior Citizens, Inc. in Victoria, Virginia and an active user of the Citizen's Band Radio who was known throughout the broadcast area by the handle "Sky Hawk."

Other family members who will long recall his memory include: his aunt, Hannah Wilson of Brooklyn, New York, his daughter-in-law, Janet Coleman Howell and three grandchildren, Karah, Ryan and Erica, all of Bethel, Connecticut, one sister-in-law, Delores Davis of Victoria, Virginia, three brothers-in-law, James and Jack Davis of Victoria, Virginia and William Galloway of Eatonton, Georgia and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.  

Memorial services were entrusted to the Thomas Funeral Home of Kenbridge, Virginia, along with interment in the Calvary Baptist Church Cemetery.

Submitted lovingly by:
Eugene Howell, Jr.