Photo: Marlon Wayans Instagram
Howell Wayans, the patriarch of the famous Wayans family, has died at 86 years old, his youngest sonMarlonannounced Saturday.
Marlon Wayans reported the news on Instagram with a touching tribute, calling his father — who was also dad toKeenen Ivory,Damon, Shawn, Dwayne, Kim, Nadia, Elvira, Diedra, and Vonnie with wife Elvira Alethia — a “legend.”
In the photo he shared honoring his father, Marlon and Howell gesture to the camera with peace signs, as the patriarch kisses his son’s forehead.
“When I was a child I asked my Dad what did you want to be when grew up? He simply said ‘I wanted to be a man,” ' Marlon, 50, wrote. “I said ‘not a lawyer? A doctor? An actor?’ He said ‘just a man.’ "
Marlon Wayans Instagram
He continued, “I said ‘but every boy becomes a man.’ Dad said ‘Not true.’ I asked ‘then what’s a man?’ My Dad said ‘A man takes care of himself and his responsibilities. His family is always FIRST.’ From that day on I wanted to be a MAN.”
Actor Omar Epps, a family friend, paid tribute to Howell’s passing with his own Instagram post. “Words can’t even describe how I’m feeling right now. This man was a GIANT amongst giants,” Epps, 49, wrote.
“Pop Wayans was a true father to me thru out my life. Always teaching me, giving me jewels that I walk with to this day. I love you Pop! Thank you for taking me under your wing as if I was one of your own,” he shared.
Howell’s eldest daughter, Diedra Lenora Wayans, paid her respects, writing on an Instagram post of the patriarch and hislate wife Elvira, “I thank God for allowing us to have so many years of love, memories and great parents. The kind that never gave up on their kids.”
Damien Dante Wayans Instagram
His grandchildren Damien Dante Wayans and Chaunté Wayans honored their grandfather on Instagram. Damien began his caption, “Since a young man I’ve always marveled my grandpa … Raising 10 kids in the projects & overseeing countless of grandkids along the way.”
“This pic I chose to post means so much to me… It’s from a show me & my cousin @craigwayans starred in called ‘Second Generation Wayans’. I remember being told my grandparents were coming to the premiere & I said ‘Grandpa is coming too’?” Damien, 42, explained, as he was “shocked” given that Howell was a “devout Jehovah Witness.”
Mediapunch/Shutterstock
“Not only did he show up, he did the press line with us & stood right next to me… Wow! He then whispered in my ear while taking this pic ‘I’m proud of you Grandson.’ "
Sharing photos of her grandfather, Chaunté wrote, “A man who shown dedication, loyalty, and provided a shield over our family. This was merely a graduation for you to be with Jehovah.”
Chaunte’ Wayans/instagram
She continued, “You were everything to me in the craziest way. My lifestyle may not have been the direction you wanted me to go in, but the love never felt abandoned.”
PHOTO: Cara Mia Wayans InstagramPHOTO: Cara Mia Wayans Instagram
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Damon Wayans’ daughter, Cara Mia Wayans, shared two beloved shots of her grandfather on her Instagram Story Saturday — one that heruncle Marlon posted on his feedafter confirming the news of Howell’s death and one of the patriarch reading. “My grandfather in a nutshell,” she wrote over the latter photo.
PHOTO: Kyla Wayans/instagramPHOTO: Ellie Sheen/instagram
Other relatives including Kyla Wayans and Ashley Wayans also recognized Howell on their Instagram Stories. Kyla wrote over a pic of Howell smiling, “my beautiful gpa. I miss this view. i’ll love your forever,” while Ashley wrote over a throwback family photo, “I went back and forth about posting a photo… RIP.”
source: people.com
