Robin Lynnette Howard

Robin Lynnette Howard, marching band member, flute player, baker of sweet potato pies, web manager, lover of good food, photographer, daughter, big sister, as well as a friend to many, was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 31, 1968. She loved being the funny, caring, protective big sister of Tammy, Bobby, and Tony. As a child, she took part in cheerleading, softball, band, science fairs, theater, and other activities that appeal to active young people. Since the family moved several times, she enjoyed those activities in a variety of places, including Illinois, Ohio, North Carolina, Florida, and Maryland.

After graduating from Oxon Hill High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland, Robin accepted a scholarship at North Carolina A&T State University, a historic center of black excellence. Beyond her scholarship and the opportunity to study at an outstanding HBCU, one of the major reasons she was excited about becoming an Aggie (that is, a student at A&T) was the University's exceptional marching band. A flute player since middle school, she found a place for herself in that highly acclaimed organization, where she especially enjoyed marching in the University's nationally recognized GHOE (Greatest Homecoming on Earth) homecoming parades. Other University organizations she became a part of include the University Choir, the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), Mu Phi Epsilon Music fraternity, and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. After graduation, Robin took great joy in marching in A&T's alumni band during the University's annual GHOE, celebrating her Aggie Pride with her fellow alumni band members.

Robin earned both BS and MS degrees in computer science at A&T. After graduation, she entered the world of private industry in the Research Triangle area of North Carolina -- initially at Nortel Networks, and then at IBM. However, she later returned to Greensboro, NC, where she spent the remainder of her life working in the Information Technology Services Department at North Carolina A&T. Besides serving as a web developer and Sharepoint Administrator at A&T, Robin also became quite active in alumni affairs there through activities with the AKA sorority, the A&T alumni band, and the A&T faculty-staff choir.

Robin was a very active member of her family's church -- Providence Baptist Church - when she was a child growing up in Greensboro. Later, as a young woman on her own, she became an active member of Mount Zion Baptist Church. Even so, she never completely severed her ties at Providence, where her parents remained members, and where she continued to serve the Lord through active participation there. In reality, then, Robin worked faithfully at both churches at the same time, and both churches greatly appreciate her, "co-claim" her, and love her. Church activities Robin enjoyed at Providence include ushering, singing in the choir, directing children in holiday programs, producing plays twice a year in recognition of Christmas and Easter, assisting with the SAT preparation program, providing her expertise as a member of the Communications/Technology Committee, and playing with the Temple Brass, a highly talented ensemble of amateur musicians organized by the late Dr. Clifford Watkins, who blessed Providence as a uniquely gifted director of the church's male chorus. At Mount Zion, Robin enjoyed participating in plays, singing in the choir, helping to provide job fairs for the community, and going on singles group outings. Robin also enjoyed spending free time with friends and family. She especially loved family summer cookouts, holiday gatherings, and relaxing lunches or dinners with family or friends at restaurants. Travel was also a great passion of hers - including activities such as ski trips with her singles group and cruises with family members.

Robin was well-known for her pleasing personality, beautiful smile, and positive attitude. She displayed her kindness, honesty, and compassion for others to all those who knew her. She went out of her way to help others, and often, the product she delivered in fulfilling a request turned out to be even more effective than the one the person had originally requested.

Although Robin's passing on March 18, 2023, left many people sad and heartbroken, there is comfort in knowing that she is in paradise receiving her heavenly reward after a beautiful life that was spent serving God by helping other people. Left to cherish beautiful memories of time spent with their dear Robin are her parents, Robert and Sandra Howard; her siblings, Tony Howard (Margaret), Bobby Howard, and Tammy Howard; loving nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and co-workers; and a host of others whose lives have been enriched through their interactions with Robin.

The homegoing service for Robin will be held on Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Providence Baptist Church; 1106 Tuscaloosa Street; Greensboro, NC 27406. The family will receive friends at the church from 12 noon until 1 p.m., and the homegoing service will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. Interment will follow at Guilford Memorial Park Cemetery.