Essie V Fountain

     Essie V. Fountain, 81, of Milton passed away on March 25, 2018.

     Essie Vandora Howell Fountain was the third child born to Simon Woodrow and Essie Griffin Howell in Newland Township, near Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The first daughter of five children, she was born on March 19, 1937.  Her parents called her Sister at birth, and the name stuck throughout the generations of many who know her.  Most relatives and friends still call her Sister. As a child and as an adult, Essie was a kind and gentle soul who was well liked by all who knew her. She taught all seven of her children to show respect and kindness to others by her living example.

     Essie attended school at the Raymouth Gilliard one-room, grades 1 through 8, school and the Mill Pond Elementary School, both in Newland Township, NC. She also attended Milton School 196-C (Milton, DE) and William C. Jason Comprehensive High School (Georgetown, DE) – all prior to the 1954 Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision on the inequality of separate but equal education.  While at Jason, Essie followed the Cafeteria Management curriculum, during which time she honed the cooking skills first taught to her by her mother.

     It was hard work rearing her children and showing them the value of doing whatever they did to the best of their respective abilities, but she did it.  Following ten years at Doxee Clam Factory in Lewes, DE, she worked for 32 years in the chicken preparation industry, first at Cargill Poultry, then at Allen Family Foods, from which she retired on July 5, 2005. In retirement, she spent more time enjoying and cooking for her children, her grandchildren and her great-grandchildren. She also spent time traveling.

     Essie Howell Fountain, the widow of the late David Fountain, was a Christian Woman.  She attended Mt. Carmel Baptist Church in NC as a child and a few other Churches as an adult, but she chose to become a dedicated member of The Church of the Lord Jesus Christ of the Apostolic Faith in Ellendale, DE. She was faithful in her worship and in Christian works for as long as she was able.  And becoming a designated “Mother” of the church in 2015 gave her great happiness. God called her to Eternal Rest on March 25, 2018.

     Her husband, David Fountain; both parents, Essie Griffin Howell Harmon and Simon Woodrow Howell; and both stepparents, Lucille Howell and Gilbert Harmon preceded her in death. So did her daughter, Debra R. Howell and four brothers – James W. “Sonny” Howell, Simon A. Howell, Carl W. Howell and Ronald V. Howell.  

     Left to cherish her memory are six children – Jacqueline Brisco (Manchester) of Milton, DE; Michael Howell of Milton, DE; Carolle L. Crawford (Leon) of Lewes, DE; Anthony L. Howell of Milton, DE; Wanda J. Howell of Bowie, MD and Carlous A. Howell of Milford DE; two brothers – Cornelius A. Howell of Ellendale, DE and Emory L. Howell (Otisha) of Houston, DE; six sisters – Audrey H. Sharpe (Willie) of Ellenwood, GA; Shirley R. Howell of Ellendale, DE; Jean Hazzard (Solomon) of Lincoln, DE; Beverly Saez (José) of Milton, DE; Felicia Savage (Elmer) of Blades, DE and Faith Harris of Ellendale, DE; a Dowager Aunt, Daisey Griffin Daniels of Lincoln DE; twelve grandchildren, fourteen great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.  

     The family prefers memorials or donations in Essie H. Fountain’s memory to the Cancer Support Community, 18947 John J. Williams Highway, Suite 312, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.

     A funeral service will be 12:00 Noon Saturday, April 7, 2018 at Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church, 23115 Slaughter Neck Road, Lincoln, DE 19960 where there will be a viewing from 10:00 A.M. until 12:00 P.M. Saturday.  Burial will follow in Old Hickory Cemetery, Slaughter Neck.  Online condolences may be made via www.pippinfuneralhome.com.

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