Dorothy Elizabeth Lewis Howard

Dorothy Elizabeth Lewis was the youngest of four children born to Christian parents, Bennett Eugene Lewis and Garnet Ardell Mayo, on July 6, 1923. She accepted Jesus Christ at an early age and was baptized at Saint Paul AME Church in Virginia. The small church was built by her grandfather and remains open for services today. In 1930, Dorothy became a Sunbeam in the Young People’s Division (YPD) of the Women’s Missionary Society. After joining Randolph Street United AME Church, she joined the Usher Board and Choir.

Dorothy married Albert Howard in 1941 and they moved to Los Angeles, California. They joined First AME Church, and soon afterwards she joined the Arteshia Jordan Women’s Missionary Society. She served as Youth Class Leader from 1942 to 1947. In 1948, she changed church membership and joined Grant AME Church, where she joined the Lou Francois Women’s Missionary Society. She served as Youth Sponsor for the YPD, Youth Class Leader and President of the Mother’s Club.

In 1949, and over the next 13 years, Dorothy and Albert became parents and were blessed with six children including: Abert Howard Jr., Bennett Wayne, William Lewis, Ardell Annitta, Mary Elizabeth and Brian Edward. Since the birth of her first child, she has never been without a child in the home, as she took on the challenge of raising four of her grandchildren.

Once she felt her children had reached an appropriate age, Dorothy began her college studies. In 1976, she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Studies with a Minor in Education from California State University, Dominguez Hills. Afterwards, she graduated from Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science as a Physician’s Assistant. She was employed by Martin Luther King Hospital Emergency Services and Family Practice. She retired from Los Angeles County after 20 years of service.

Even with a career, active church membership and a large family, Dorothy found time to devote to her community. She was a member of Model Cities of Los Angeles and the Parent Teacher Associations in California and Arizona. She served as a Teacher’s Assistant for her children’s and grandchildren’s classes. She was the Boy Scout Leader for Troop 823C and supported the neighborhood block watch, the Girl Scouts and various community organizations. She instilled a spirit of service in the children she raised.

After a full life in Los Angeles, Dorothy left sunny California for hot Arizona in 1987. She joined Tanner Chapel AME Church, and became a member of the Sarah E. Tanner Women’s Missionary Society and the Stewardess Board, and served as a volunteer for the Food Pantry and other ministries. She has been a key member of Church Women United. In 2010, she was ordained as a deaconess and mother of the church.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband, Albert Howard Sr., son, Brian Edward Howard, and grandson, Bennett Wayne Howard II. She is survived by sons, Albert Jr. (Valerie), Wayne (ex-wife Beverly), and William, and daughters, Ardell (Anthony Charles) and Mary (Samuel Harris). Her surviving grandchildren include Dante (Janeal), LaShonda, Alton, Althea, Angel, Jeuel, Nikki, Bennett, Brinnay, and Simone. One Aunt, Alice Mayo, One Sister-in-Law, Annie L. Wiggins, Neices, Loretta, Corrine and Beverlyn, Nephews, Henry Jr., George, and Aljay. Grand-nephews, Jason, Christopher, and Adrienne Colbert. She has twelve great-grandchildren, and a host of other cousins, nieces, nephews and loved ones who will greatly miss her.

A Visitaiton will be held Friday, may 11, 2012 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Lakeshore Mortuary, 1815 S. Dobson Road, Mesa, AZ 85202. On Saturday, May 12, 2012 at the Tanner Chapel AME Church, 20 South 8th Street, Phoenix, AZ, a visitaiton will be held at 9:00 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 10:00 a.m. Monday, May 14, 2012 a visitation will be held from 9:00 to 12:00 p.m., with funeral services starting at 12:00 p.m. at the Simpson Family Mortuary, 3443 W. Manchester, Inglewood, CA 90305. Interment will follow at Rose Hills Memorial Park, 3888 S. Workman Road, Whittier, CA 90601.