Habteab Zerit, 84, entered into rest on Tuesday, October 18th, 2022. Habteab was born to the late Zerit Libab and Aster Gebreyesus on May 31st, 1938, in Asmara, Eritrea.

At an early age, Habteab was eager to learn and excel in school at the Swedish Evangelical Mission, where he was also the president of the youth activities in church. He enjoyed playing soccer and riding his bike to school. After high school, he moved to Ethiopia and earned his degree from Haile Selassie University School of Engineering, and in 1966, an MPH from the University of California at Berkeley. Upon returning to Ethiopia, he taught at Haile Selassie University. During this time, he married a young woman, Miriam Zecharias, from his old community in Asmara and moved back to the U.S. in 1973 to pursue further education and a career in Public Health. He worked at Meharry Medical College in Nashville TN until the family moved to Augusta GA in 1995.

Habteab had a lifelong commitment as an educator and later as International Student Advisor at Paine College. He never failed his mission to mentor students and keep them focused on their studies. He believed education not only allows you to grow intellectually, but enhances your perception of the world around you, making for a better life and better society.

Habteab was loved by his family, admired and respected by students and his colleagues for his genuine caring personality. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Miriam Zecharias; children, Abeselom Zerit, Dermas Zerit, and Eden Zerit; and grandchildren, Senai Zerit, Adae Zerit, and Eyasu Zerit.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00am on Saturday, October 29th, 2022, at Gilbert Lambuth Memorial Chapel at Paine College, 1600 Druid Park Ave, Augusta, GA 30909.

In lieu of flowers, the Family of Mr. Habteab Zerit requests that all donations be sent to Paine College to establish a Scholarship for International Students in memory of Mr. Habteab Zerit, former International Students Advisor/Counselor. Please make checks payable to: Paine College. Mail to- ATTN: Mrs. Cinderella Walker, Paine College, Office of Institutional Advancement, 1235 15th Street, Augusta, GA 30901.