Elbert Howard

Elbert Howard, also known as Bert, 65, of Manchester, NJ passed away on February 19, 2021.  He was born on September 27, 1955 in Mount Vernon, New York to Charles and Bessie Clark Howard. He was educated in Mount Vernon, NY where he later received his GED. In 2011 he earned a certificate in basic culinary and sanitation.

In 1991, while on a bus, Elbert met a woman who captured his heart. On March 12, 1994, he married the love of his life, Sandra with whom he would spend 30 years. He worked as a bus operator for Centro Bus Company in Syracuse, NY. After moving to Lakehurst, NJ, he was he worked for Stouts Bus Line, Victory Tabernacle Charter Bus Co, and Lakewood Taxi Company.

Elbert loved to bake, he was known for his cakes and pies. He began his own baking company, “Big Bert’s Baked Goods” and a cleaning company, “Bling Bling Janitorial Cleaning Service.”

Elbert loved his family, especially his daughter Jasmine. He was close to his nieces, nephews and great nieces and nephews. He was a very social man who would greet you with a friendly smile and a kind word. He had a big heart. He did his best to bring cheer to anyone he found down with one of his jokes. He was a good listener as many young people would call him Pa. Elbert always declared, “God is good!” His favorite scripture was Proverbs 3:1-4.

Elbert was a member of Victory Tabernacle of Prayer where Bishop Dennis C. Carlisle was his pastor and father figure. There he served as a choir member and sang with the men’s group. Whether it was from his seat or singing a duet with his wife, he simply loved to sing! He was also a member of Kevin Stephens & Free Spirit and The Victorious Gospel Choir where he recorded with Bruce Springsteen. Elbert’s melodious voice can be heard on the beginning of Land of Hopes and Dreams (Bruce Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball Album) “Oh oh oh oh… this train” On February 19, 2021, Elbert took his ride and will be missed by all.

Elbert was predeceased by his parents, Charles and Bessie Clark Howard, siblings, Jackie “Jack” Taylor, William “Bill” Taylor, Pamela Foster Nero, Alinda Foster and Rhonda Foster.

He leaves to cherish his memories a wife of 30 years, Sandra Brown Howard of Manchester, NJ, daughter, Jasmine Boris of Toms River, NJ, and her brother, James Shade, grandchild, La’Neah Shade, step-children, Sherika Sanders of Massachusetts, Jamari and Duane Petty of Virginia, uncle, James Howard of Vacaville, Ca, sister-in-law, Harriet Taylor of Mt Vernon, NY, god-sister, Caren Owens-Turner-Larry of Rochester, NY, special nephew, Tyrone who called him “Uncle Brother”, special cousins, Ella Mae Walker of West Hartford, Ct, Champ of America, GA; friend, Leah Boris, and his entire church family in New Jersey and North Carolina.

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