Howard LeRoy Sapp Sr.

Howard LeRoy Sapp, 91, passed away at Croatan Assisted Living, New Bern, on May 11, 2020. He was born in St. Cloud, FL to Ray and Bessie Sapp on September 12, 1928.

He was predeceased by his parents, his wife, Alice and his daughter-in-law, Denise. He is survived by his sons, Hap (June) of New Bern and David of Abingdon, MD; grandchildren, Wendy (Scott) Heavrin of Paducah, KY, Courtney (DJ) Peters of New Bern, Bessie Sapp and Sam Sapp of Abingdon; great-grandchildren, Malia and Laurel Heavrin and Gavin and Mallory Peters; and his brother, Bob of Marietta, GA.

Howard was a Master in all phases of printing to include hot lead typesetting and lithograph with letter press finish; as well as offset printing from camera to plate to press to folding and binding finished product. A hardworking entrepreneur and provider, Howard produced reliable and high quality typeset for several shops as well as complete print jobs for local businesses in addition to his regular job. He enjoyed the work and was always at it and kept up with improved technologies until his retirement.

After a brief stop in Elizabeth City, North Carolina Howard resided in the Western Branch area of Chesapeake, Virginia for most of his career 1952 thru 1990 and then moved to Gates County, North Carolina.

Throughout his life Howard was an avid gardener and enjoyed a passion for this hobby every year as his gardens yielded great bounties the entire family and several friends would enjoy. In fact, after moving to Gates County Howard would exhibit an interest in the local farmers activities; How they were doing, what they had planted and treatment techniques as they worked their fields from spring planting to market.

Also a sportsman Howard enjoyed camping, fishing and water sports throughout his life as well as hunting early on. Howard was gifted athletically and participated at a high level in all major sports as a student

The lyrics of one of Howard’s favorite songs - “I go to Him in prayer. He knows my every care…you will find a little talk with Jesus makes it right” – Say a lot about Howard’s relationship with the Lord and how he approached life and led his family. A quiet peaceful demeanor showed thru his powerful physique. He displayed a gentle and humble sprit. Howard was certainly the strong, silent type that would surprise you when he did weigh in on the subject at hand and if that was a Bible passage he would go on to describe his perception of the context of those events in history as well as how it related to the situations of the day.

Howard was an active Deacon at Taylor Road Baptist Church in Chesapeake, Virginia; a founding member and Elder of Emmaus Baptist Church also in Chesapeake Virginia. Howard also was active in several congregations in and around Gates County, North Carolina. Throughout Howards walk with the Lord he was an active member of Gideon’s International and it seemed that the printing career may have influenced that and he was certainly a student of God’s word his entire life.

The hard work never got in the way of being there for his family. Howard intuitively knew when those he loved needed him and he was there and new how to have a good time! It was really two separate generations of kids he raised as his sons were born almost a decade and a half apart. Howard’s sons can go on for hours telling stories of the trips and activities that were special to them and their friends and cousins. And as a loving husband Howard certainly displayed the right example for those boys to pattern after.

At nearly 92 years of age it’s true that many of the spirits that knew Howard have passed on before him and he will rejoice in that reception! As for those that are here they will reflect upon those times fondly and with respect to a man who lived well and loved deeply.