Mr. James A. Howard 78 went home to be with the Lord on Monday August 21, 2017, at St. Luke's Hospital. James Hobbs was born on July 19, 1939 in Clinton N.C. the son of the late Paul Howard and Beulah Hobbs. He worked at Utica Glass Co. and enjoyed fishing, hunting and cooking. He was a faithful member and served as Head Deacon at The Greater Holy Temple Church #1. He was loved and will be missed by so many. He is survived by his loving wife , Annie Mae and children, Beverly Brown, Mary Jane (William) Tolbert, Eva Lee, Theresa, Amanda Howard, Anitra (Allen) Jefferson, Shirley (Kenny)Troy, Paulette (Earl) Lang all of Utica, NY, Rosalind Lyles of Belglades, FL, Joyce Paulk of Chewiston, Fl, Barbara (Anthony) Murray of Syracuse, NY, Stacey (Ralph) Airall of Ft Lauderdale, Fl, Javelle Howard of Dallas, Tx, Annie (Charles) Minor of Sneads, Fl, Carolyn (Wayne) Savage of Lake City, Fl, Cathy and Tracy Spencer all of West Palm Beach, Fl, Angelo and Quinton Spencer, all of Homestead Fl, Lepolia (Red) Spencer of Dannemora, NY, James Jr, David, Charles, Eugene Howard all of Utica, NY. Also surviving are 2 brothers, Paul Howard of Utica, Jerry Howard of Rome, NY, sister, Mary Howard of Syracuse, NY. He was blessed with 94 Grandchildren, 103 great grandchildren, and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends. He was predeceased by his parents, Paul Howard and Beulah Hobbs, brothers, Louis, Elmo and J.T. Howard, daughters, Jeanette Howard, Latwanya Howard-Abrams, April Howard and Stephanie Howard, niece, Shirley Howard-Fisher, nephew, Charles Simmons, and granddaughter, Allie Abrams.