Demetrius Howard

Demetrius Antione Howard was born on December 12, 1975 at Bethesda Oak Hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio to James Lee Howard and Laurestine (Howard) Lindsey. He grew up primarily in Walnut Hills until his grandmother's passing in 1987. He attended Windsor Elementary, Eastern Hills Junior High, and Withrow High School. At the age of 15, he professed his love for Christ by getting baptized at Bethlehem Temple Apostolic Church.

Demetrius developed a love for music at an early age. He loved to rap and he wrote and recorded several songs. He developed his own record label, Industreetz Records, recorded a mix CD, and filmed several videos that were posted on You Tube. His dream was to develop young talent and give them an alternative to life in the streets. Unfortunately, Demetrius' health was not the best as he battled diabetes, ulcers, and liver disease that kept him from taking his label as far as it could have gone.

Demetrius grew up in a large extended family, which may have contributed to him having several children of his own. On December 29, 2006, Demetrius married a childhood friend, Rosellen (Rosie) Reed and they remained married until Demetrius' passing. On March 11, 2013, Demetrius was diagnosed with Stage 3 lung cancer. He underwent a series of radiation and chemotherapy treatments with little to no success. After an eight-day hospital stay for a high white blood cell count, he was released, only to be readmitted four days later for a blood clot and pneumonia. Sadly, the pneumonia proved to be too much for his damaged lungs and God called him home five days later.

Demetrius was preceded in death by his parents and two older sisters, Gina and April Howard.

He is survived by two sisters, LaShonda Kennedy and Trina Rayford; two brothers, Jeno Howard and Diondre Rayford; his wife Rosie Howard; his children, Jemia Howard, Kiara Howard, Heaven Scott, Demetrius Scott, Tyler Howard, Dasha Wilks, and Brandon Ingram; a granddaughter, Arianna Ingram; several nieces and nephews and host of other close family and friends.


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