Howard Spruill

Reverend Howard Devon Spruill, 73 was born on July 29, 1948, to the late Deacon Howard Lee Spruill and Mother Margaret J. Spruill of Princeton, North Carolina. He departed this life on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at Transition Life Care in Raleigh, North Carolina. Howard's family and childhood friends affectionately called him by his nickname "̈Lannie". Howard graduated from Richard B. Harrison High School in 1967 and matriculated at Johnston Community College, before joining the United States Army on April 15, 1968. Howard courageously served our nation in the Vietnam War from September 11, 1968 - to August 29, 1969. While on active duty he received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Four Campaign Stars, 2 Overseas Service Bars, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Sharpshooter Badge (M-14), and Sharpshooter (M-16). Howard successfully completed special training in chemical entry at USACMLCS in Fort McClellan, Alabama. Howard left active service as an SP4 on April 13, 1970, from Fort Campbell, Kentucky and he was honorably discharged on April 1, 1974. Howard grew up in a faith-oriented family where his praying parents guided their sons to seek a life of righteousness, integrity, and self-discipline. Howard as a young adult accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior and was baptized at the Mt. Zion Bible Church of Godin Princeton, North Carolina. Howard sang and played lead guitar with the Golden Keys of Princeton. Rev. Spruill answered the call to the gospel ministry at the Fuller Street Pentecostal Church, Smithfield, North Carolina under the tutelage of Pastor Joshua Burgess. He was licensed and ordained by Bishop Charles J. Williams of the Western Assembly Disciples of Christ. Rev. Spruill provided pastoral leadership to the following churches: Cedar Grove Disciples Church, Princeton, North Carolina, Moore's Chapel Disciples Church, Fayetteville, North Carolina Lily of the Valley Disciples Church, Smithfield, North Carolina. Rev. Spruill served as an associate minister at Shiloh Christian Church, Greenleaf Christian church, Goldsboro NC, and Peace Memorial Christian Church, Fayetteville, NC under the leadership of Bishop F. J. Matthews. Rev. Spruill attended Red Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church, under the leadership of Dr. J. B. Woodhouse. Howard was a loyal worker until his death and a genuine follower of 2 Thessalonians 3:10 which states if any would not work, neither should he eat. He was employed for several years as a machinist at Eaton Corporation in Selma, North Carolina until he decided to pursue a law-enforcement career as an employee of the Campus Security and Police at Shaw University. Howard at the conclusion of his life was employed as Admiral Security for the Wake County 911 Center in Raleigh, North Carolina. Howard's favorite past times in which he found the small joys of life included shopping for his immaculate wardrobe, eating at his favorite restaurants, cooking & grilling gourmet meals, landscaping & home improvement projects, interior designs, and watching vintage Westerns. Howard was preceded in death by his maternal grandmother Carrie A. Jones, his father, Deacon Howard Lee ̈Spruill, his sister-in-law Phyllis Spruill and his daughter-in-law Tina Michelle Brown-Spruill. Howard leaves a legacy of love to his devoted mother Margaret J. Spruill; his faithful wife Marilyn Davis Spruill; son Dexter Spruill of Princeton, NC; daughter Trenna Spruill (fiancé' Ryan) of Smithfield, NC; Bonus sons Anthony Davis Jr. and Dexter Davis both of Raleigh, NC; bonus daughter Octovia Davis of Raleigh, NC; two grandsons Cedric Braswell (CJ) of Smithfield, NC and Kendric Cunningham (Jasmine) of Washington, DC; three bonus granddaughters; Lexus, Mercedes, Airelleye, Davis of Raleigh, NC; three bonus grandson Kameron, DaShawn, Zaden Davis of Raleigh, NC; two great granddaughters Alya & Zariah Cunningham of Washington, DC; two bonus great granddaughters; Belle and Naryhia Davis of Raleigh NC; brother Dwight Spruill of Raleigh NC; three aunts; Doris Fling of Sumter, SC; CarrieMae Atkinson of Princeton, NC; Martha McRae (Jerry) of Smithfield, NC; uncle, Raymond Jones (Valerie) of Clayton, NC; in-laws Margret Gainey(Waymon), Carloyn Hines, and Glen Hines of Smithfield, NC; a spiritual brother; Rev. Jack Tabron, of Raleigh, NC; special pet; Polo Spruill of Knightdale, NC; a host of relatives, church family, and friends

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Daily Gathering:
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Family's Home
1178 Barbour Rd.
Smithfield, NC
Masks are required if not vaccinated.

Visitation
Friday, May 20
1:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Sanders Funeral Home Chapel
806 E Market St
Smithfield, NC 27577
(919) 934-8416

Viewing
Saturday, May 21
10:00 AM to 11:00 AM
Shiloh Christian Church
211 Durham St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Funeral Service
Saturday, May 21
11:00 AM
Shiloh Christian Church
211 Durham St.
Smithfield, NC 27577

Interment with Military Honors
Eastern Carolina Veterans State Cemetery
164 Long Plant Farm Rd.
Goldsboro, NC