Chantel Iman Howard

Chantel Howard Obituary Live fearlessly. Have the courage to take risks. Go where there are no guarantees. See the world with your own two eyes. Read great books. Make time for experiences with those you love most. Vibe out to R&B music. Shop until your heart is content. Take God with you always. Such was the life of Chantel Iman Howard. She was a daughter, a sister, a mother, and a dear friend. This is just a small piece of her story. On September 8, 1992, Cleveland made way for a bouncing baby girl who would never outgrow her love of pink. Although born to Keyonna Howard and Rasheem Smith, Sr., who preceded her in death, Chantel was blessed with another father, Frank Harris, Jr. who raised her as his own. Chantel was adored by her family and friends as a bubbly, smart, resilient, funny, and strong young woman who never missed an opportunity to tell you the truth about yourself. “So, what’s really going on?” she’s say. Her infectious spirit and giving heart truly bonded her family together. Chantel was a member of Lee Heights Community Church and was under the leadership of Pastor Robin Miller. Pastor Miller, hi late wife Cynthia Miller, and her Lee Heights family played an active role in helping her raise and care for her son Malechi James Howard who was born May 10, 2006, while Chantel was still in school. Chantel attended Whitney M. Young for both junior and senior high school where she excelled academically and graduated in 2010. Whitney Young gave Chantel some of her best and closest friends whom she loved and deeply cherished. Upon her graduation from high school, Chantel went on to attend Kent State University to begin her nursing education. She later transferred to Cuyahoga Community College Division of Nursing and graduated with her Associate Degree in December 2016. For Chantel, seeing her son Malechi stand up and cheer her on as she waled across the stage to accept her degree was on of her proudest moments. After obtaining her degree, Chantel began her career as a Registered Nurse at University Hospitals in Neuro ICU. At the conclusion of her time at University Hospitals, Chantel decided to try her hand at long-term care. Eventually, she settled at Saint Vincent Charity Hospital Home Care Division where she had been for the past two and a half years. On January 27, 2020, Chantel gave birth to her second baby boy, Hendrix Marley Jackson. Amid being the best mother to her two boys, Chantel had begun pursuing her Bachelor’s Degree as her ultimate goal was to become a Nurse Practitioner. Chantel knew there was nothing in this life she couldn’t achieve. Chantel’s story concluded on February 24, 2022. While her grandfather, Elmore “Butch” Howard has already cleared the way for her, her spirit lives on in her parents, Keyonna Howard and Frank Harris, Jr.; her children, Malechi Howard and Hendrix Jackson; her siblings, Niasia Harris, Frank Harris, III, Leonard Harris, Thai Lei Harris, and Rasheem Smith, Jr.; her niece, Nova Lei Harris; her grandparents, Pamela Howard Wathen, Jom Parks, and Bruce Higgins; and a host of aunts, uncles, cousins, and very dear friends. When asked about a favorite memory of Chantel, her mother Keyonna had this to say: I remember when Chantel first started at Kent State…she was Really struggling. There were problems with her financial aid, classes weren’t going too well, and things just seemed to keep testing her. She had only been there for about a week or so. And then one day she called me and said “Mom, what’s it called when God just keeps blessing you and blessing you?” I told her it’s called favor. And she said “yes, God has been showing me so much favor in the midst of everything that has been going on. So much favor.” When she said that, I felt a calmness come over me because I had been so worried about her. Worried about all the things I couldn’t give her. But in that moment, I knew that I had given her the very best thing she could have. I had given her Jesus… and as long as she had Jesus, I knew she’d always be okay. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Chantel Iman Howard, please visit our floral store. Read More

Chantel Iman Howard

September 8, 1992 - February 24, 2022