Howard Hudson Guyton was born on December 7, 1916 in Valdosta, Georgia to James and Elizabeth Guyton. He was the fourth of seven children born from that union. During his formative years, Howard’s family relocated to Live Oak, Florida and then eventually to Jacksonville, where he remained for the duration of his lifetime. He excelled in school, and upon graduation, he entered the U.S. Army where he valiantly served in both World War II and the Korean War. After returning from war, he enrolled in Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University where he obtained his Bachelor’s and later his Masters degree.
Upon his return to Jacksonville, he obtained employment with Duval County School System under Superintendent John I. E. Scott. His professional career spanned over 30 years working at the elementary, junior high, and senior high school levels. He was one of the original Social Studies and Foreign Language teachers at William Raines High School under principal and friend Dr. William M. Robinson. He was a part of the first group that participated in the integration of schools in Duval County at Fletcher High School. He retired from Duval Country Schools after 30+ years of dedicated and outstanding service.
Howard was a faithful member of St. Stephens A.M.E. church working in numerous ministries, and served under various ministers until his health failed him. Howard is credited with mentoring many decades of new members at St. Stephens.
He was a charter member of Nu Beta Sigma Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Inc., where he served his fraternity faithfully in many different offices for over 50 years. He was also a Prince Hall Mason.
As a result of his dedication to his profession, church, and community he touched many lives. In his leisure time he traveled extensively both domestically and internationally. He had a love for the world’s languages and spoke five fluently. He also had a special love for dogs, having spent some time working at Beach Blvd. Animal Hospital.
Howard peacefully departed this life on August 8, 2010. He was preceded in death by his parents; his siblings, James Guyton Jr., Margaret King, Amerine Guyton, Thomas Guyton, and Eula Lee Barbrey; nieces, Margaret Sanders and Brenda Joyce Whitehead. He was also preceded in death by his first wife Geneva Perry Guyton Wheeler and his second wife, Frankie Armstrong Guyton. He leaves to cherish his memory, his one surviving sibling, Annie Pearl Franklin of California; nephews, Joseph Sanders, Yahya Hasan, and Edward King (Priscilla), nieces, Francis Marian, Gloria Torrance Rhett (John), and a host of other grand nieces and nephews, cousins, other relatives, and friends.

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