Herbert Allen English

Herbert Allen English was born in Camden, South Carolina on June 6, 1935. He is the first child of the late James Edward English and the late Louise Allen English. He peacefully departed this life on April 15, 2016 at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland with his devoted daughter, Cheli, by his side. Possessed with a keen intellect, unmatched integrity and a generous spirit, Herbert lived his life always considering the needs of others. Herbert came into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ at an early age. He was a very active member of Trinity Methodist Church in Camden, South Carolina as a youth. Herbert received his early education in Camden and graduated from Mather Academy. He continued his education at South Carolina State College in Orangeburg, South Carolina where he graduated in 1956 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry. While at South Carolina State, Herbert served as Editor for The Collegian, a popular student publication. He was also a member of the ROTC Officers Club, the captain of the debate team, and president of his line when he pledged Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. After graduation, he taught science and math at Booker T. Washington High School in Columbia, South Carolina. He was then inducted into the United States Army as an Officer where he served for three years. During that time, Herbert met the love of his life, Elizabeth, while serving as an usher at the wedding of a childhood friend and neighbor. After he and Elizabeth married, they relocated to New York, NY and then had one child, Cheli. Herbert started his career in New York as a Social Worker for the New York City Department of Social Services. He later became a Supervisor and then moved on to work as an Investigator for the New York State Department of Labor where he remained until he retired. Herbert also cared deeply about the well-being of children. He thoroughly enjoyed the years he spent being employed as the part-time Director of the After School Enrichment Program at a public junior high school in the Bronx. Herbert was very civic-minded. He served as President of The United East 220-221st Street Block Association for many years where he organized many annual neighborhood initiatives including Spring Clean-Up Day and the Back-to-School Block Party. He was an active member of the Laconia Community Presbyterian Church in the Bronx, New York for over 50 years. Herbert was also instrumental in conceiving, organizing and orchestrating the first English-Perkins Family Reunion in 1973. He continued to play a guiding and integral role in subsequent reunions for more than 20 years. Herbert's favorite hobbies were fishing and gardening. His fondest memories included summer days spent fishing on his small boat, "Cheli's Whaler" and mornings in the backyard tending to his tomatoes which he always happily shared with neighbors. Herbert is predeceased by his mother, Louise Allen English; father, James Edward English; and brother, Charles W. English. Left to cherish loving memories and to celebrate Herbert's life are his beloved wife of 57 years, Elizabeth Shell English; daughter, Cheli English-Figaro, Esq.; son-in-law, K. Michael Figaro, MD; grandchildren, Brandon, Alexandra and Caroline Figaro of Bowie, MD; sisters, Jimmie Jones (Pelham) of Detroit, MI, Mary Riley of New York, NY, Margaret Ehiemere (Allison) of Nigeria, West Africa, Barbara Lewis (Clarence) of Atlanta, GA and Sharon White-Dillon (Anthony) of Norwalk, CT; sister-in-law, Patry English of Orlando, FL; one aunt, Lillian English of Atlanta, GA; one uncle, William English (Lois) of Atlanta, GA; and a host of in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and many friends and neighbors who will miss his gregarious and warm-hearted personality terribly.