Essie Mae Young Howard

Mrs. Essie Mae Young Howard was born February 10, 1943, in Dawson, Terrell County, Georgia, to Artis and Ruth Young (Preceded in Death). Essie was affectionately known as "Bae" and was the third of eleven children.
Bae was raised in Dawson, Georgia, where she attended the Terrell County Public School System. She and her family faithfully attended Mountain Grove Missionary Baptist Church. After relocating to Florida, she attended Mt. Calvary Baptist Church and Hilltop Baptist Church.
Essie was united in holy matrimony to the late Rufus James Howard. This union was blessed with two children, Veronica "Roni" and Frances.
After leaving Dawson, Essie moved to Riviera Beach, Florida, where she was employed with Arnold's Bakery for many years. After she retired, she settled in Villa Rica, Georgia, where she lived until her passing
In her retirement, Bae loved looking after two of her school-aged grandchildren, Amari and Amber. Her daily routine involved watching game shows and soap operas. She loved every opportunity to play cards with her daughters, grandchildren, brothers and sisters, and anyone else who was willing to spend hours sitting and playing with her. Bae was also an avid reader of novels. Danielle Steel and John Grisham were two of her favorite authors.
Growing up in a close-knit family, Bae loved and cherished the time spent with her siblings. They shared a unique bond and a special relationship among themselves, not often seen in families. Together, they created and enjoyed a lifetime of memories, traveling together and cooking together for numerous family events and gatherings; those moments will never be forgotten. Bae was one of the main cooks within the family; some family members had a favorite dish that they would always ask her to make when they gathered. We are going to miss her collard greens, oxtails, crackling cornbread, stove-top cornbread, peach cobbler, baked chicken, and turkey wings, just to name a few. However, it is her presence and love that will be missed the most. Bae was especially close to her daughters. She was a very loving, caring, and supportive mother to them from the beginning of their lives until the end of hers. Both Roni and Frances would tell you, "God blessed us with the best Mom in the world."
Bae was one of the kindest and most humble persons most have ever met. She was always willing to help and do what every she could for anyone. She had a quiet spirit, a gentle demeanor, and a radiant smile that could uplift those around her.
On Friday, December 27, 2024, Essie entered into eternal rest. At the time of her passing, Bae was the eldest among her surviving siblings. Preceding her in death were her parents; a grandson, D'Taurean Gibbs; and four siblings, Daisy Bell Young Jackson, Dorthy James, Walter Young, and James Young.
Essie leaves to cherish her memory, Daughters: Veronica Wingate (Timothy, Sr.) and Frances Ephraim (Daniel); Adopted son: Angelo Jackson; Grandchildren: Tierra Howard, Y'Preshus Goodwin (Alford, III), Timiyah Wingate, Amari and Amber Ephraim; Step Grandchildren: Danielle Barnes (Lawrence), Ashley Campbell, Timothy, Jr. (Erice), Cornice (Mariah) and Darren Wingate; Great Grandchildren: Skyy Hinson, Eric Davis, Ryin and Ryli Howard-Reddick, Channing Daniels, Aaron, A'Nya, and A'King Goodwin, Alford Goodwin, IV, Darren, Jr., Dyllan, Timothy, III, Isaiah, Dakota, David, Winter and Willow Wingate, Lawrence, Jr., Zander and Zoe Barnes, Aluna Harrison-Campbell, Amir Campbell, Abby Campbell; Sisters: Betty Dendy, Rena Young, Helen Nelson (Billy) and Ola Walton (Leonard); Brothers: Artis Young (Betty), Willie Frank Young (Anne); Aunts: Rena Gold, Mattie Ruth Walker; Special Nieces: Vernique Williams (Ellex), Debra Bell (Anthony), Tawanis Fashaw (Raleigh); Extended Family Members: Barbara Powell, Sharon Henderson, Janice Tipton, Sheena Montgomery, Team USC 2029 Basketball Team, of Columbia, South Carolina (which her great grandson, Aaron Goodwin, is a member of); Special Friend: Katie Adams; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and caring friends who will mourn her passing and cherish her memories.