Tough and tender
August 6, 1933 — December 21, 2021
OBITUARY
You could not be in Alberta Howard’s presence and not sense her genuine spirit. She was “Bert” to those who knew her, and if you were fortunate to be in her orbit, you wanted to know her. Her unpretentious way always won visitors over.
Alberta L. Howard died at home in Cleveland on Wednesday, December 21, 2021. She was 88.
Known for her culinary skills, she cooked not only for herself but for friends and those in need of assistance. Active in the community until her health gave way, Alberta had enough volunteer spirit for a brigade. Not the least bit shy, you could often find her working in public spaces, like her volunteer work at the gospel radio station WABQ-AM.
Alberta was especially at home at Democratic Party headquarters, where she loved to be in the midst of the action. She was a regular volunteer there even when she was working as a clerk in the office of Cleveland Municipal Court Clerk Earle B. Turner, often coming over after work, and helping on special occasions, meetings, and the like.
After retirement, Alberta continued her work at party headquarters, driving downtown regularly. She could not be kept away; when she stopped driving, she came to “work” on the bus.
When Cindy Marizette, a former executive director of the county Democrats, was asked to describe a special “Bert” moment, she laughed as she described a time when FBI agents came to the office, wanting to speak with the director.
Alberta, who was serving as volunteer receptionist, was always protective of her charges and the office. When she ascertained the visitors did not have an appointment, she directed them to take seats while she checked on Marizette’s availability. A commotion erupted when the men identified themselves as FBI, but Alberta was undeterred.
“I don’t give a cat-slap who you are,” she retorted. “If you don’t have an appointment, you’ll have to take a seat.”
The G-men did as instructed. Later, in the privacy of her office, the feds observed admiringly that Marizette had “one hell of a watchdog out there.”
Clearly, Alberta was no shrinking violet. Marizette calls her a “warrior. If she was in your corner, she was there 110%.” But of course, underneath that gruff exterior and at times a certain rough edge, Alberta was known for her kindness and total lack of pretense, as well as her deep sense of Cleveland’s political history.
Lynnie Powell, a former deputy director of the county Board of Elections, remembers Alberta as a “super volunteer”.
“She was so dear, … the most authentic person I ever met,” Powell recalls.
Alberta hailed from Bessemer, AL, where she was born to Joseph Essex and Martha (née Herrod) Howard on August 6, 1933. She grew up in Springfield, Ohio and graduated from Springfield High School. Soon after she moved to Cleveland, Ohio. She was a faithful member of New Jerusalem Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Sizemore and Pastor Ward and Hopewell Missionary Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Knox.
Alberta is survived by her daughters, Debra (Barry) Davis of Springfield, OH and Madge Ervin of Garfield Heights, OH; brother, Jesse (Mizella) Howard of Springfield, OH; grandchildren, Nashea Davis of Springfield, OH, Natiya (John) McFadden of Reynoldsburg, OH, Sandra (Raymond) Hubbard of Portsmouth, VA, Robert Jackson of Akron, OH and Carolyn Ervin of Garfield Heights, OH, 17 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren; one sister-in law, Betty Howard of Springfield, OH; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Martha Howard; a grandson, Barry Davis Jr.; and her brothers James and Joseph E. Howard Jr.
Final Arrangements
The funeral service will be Tuesday, January 11, 2022 at 1:30PM at Gaines Funeral Home, 5386 Lee Road [44120]. A family hour will precede the service at 1PM.
The service will be livestreamed here, starting at 1:25PM.
A public viewing is scheduled for Monday, January 10, from 5-7PM at the funeral home.
Interment will follow the funeral service at Cleveland Memorial Garden, 4324 Green Road [44128].
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