A brother dead

and brothers mourning

Fill the heart

with grief today,

And the earnest

grasp fraternal;

Speaks, “a dear one

passed away.”

Yes, no longer

we shall greet thee

In the halls of DKE,

Yet thy name

in sweet remembrance

Graven on

our hearts will be.

We have parted,

Brother, parted,

As we trust, to meet again,

In a full unbroken circle,

Free from sorrow,

grief and pain.

William Evans "Blackie" Howell, Zeta Zeta '53

Brother Evans “Blackie” Howell, ZZ '53, died early Thursday morning, June 21, 2007.  He had suffered from Alzheimers Disease for the past five or six years, maybe longer.  His entire family including grandchildren came to see him the weekend before last and in typical Howell family style, he and the others danced, laughed and enjoyed themselves. Blackie may not have known your name, but he lit up when people came to visit him and he always had a smile on his face. 

Many of us remember him as a champion LSU heavyweight boxer in the glory days of boxing in the early 1950s when the coliseum would be filled almost to capacity.  By the 1960’s  or 1970’s I believe boxing had ceased to be a colligate sport. It was so popular even I boxed in LSU ROTC as did many others. I believe he was heavyweight champion for the SEC and may have been All SEC and All American.

Blackie was a fun-loving person who along with his great wife, Mary Jane, instilled this attribute in their four children.  They in turn have ensured that the grandchildren also have cheerful outlooks on life.  You’ve never seen such a happy, wonderful, kind and considerate family.  Sissy and I joined Mary Jane and Blackie and Yale Deke, the late Todd Garland and his late wife, Judy on a skiing trip in Breckenridge, CO in the early days of Louisiana skiers—1967 and we laugh till this day about the many memorable experiences enjoyed by this group of long time friends.

Blackie’s older brother, Roland Boatner Howell, Jr. died in January, 2007.  Both were Dekes, as was their father who also was a Friar.

Those desiring to make memorial donations may wish to send them to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge-----550 Lobdell Ave. Baton Rouge, LA 70806.

-- John Bateman, ZZ '56

Those wishing to call or write Mary Jane will appreciate the following information:

Mary Jane Howell

1632 Cloverdale Ave.

Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Tel:  (225) 343-7112

From "The Advocate"                                   

William Evans "Blackie" Howell, 77, of Baton Rouge, died Thursday, June 21, 2007, at the Louisiana War Veterans Home in Jackson. He was a 1953 graduate of LSU and a retired businessman. 

Blackie Howell was captain of the LSU boxing team and a Southern intercollegiate heavyweight champion. He was a finalist in the NCAA and the World Wide All-Army boxing tournaments. 

Mr. Howell is survived by his wife, Mary Jane Enochs Howell; daughter and son-in-law, Jean and David Button of Fayetteville, Ark.; sons, Evans Howell Jr. and wife Margaret of Fayetteville, Jeff Howell of Orlando, Fla., and Philip Howell and wife Mary Amelia of Santa Fe, N.M.; and six grandchildren, Hannah Dodson, Casey Howell, Sarah Howell, Carter Howell, Amelia Howell and Henry Howell. 

Mr. Howell was preceded in death by his parents, Roland and Williemel Durio Howell; and brother, R. Boatner Howell Jr. 

The family is grateful for the loving care provided by the wonderful staff at the Louisiana War Veterans Home.  Memorials may be made to Cancer Services of Greater Baton Rouge, 550 Lobdell Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70806