On September 6, 1959, Paula Ann Allison Howden (née Harris) was born to Donald Fitzgerald Alexander Newark (d.2016), and Patricia Joan Mitchell (née Harris) (d.1993). She was born in Zeelandia Village, Guyana. In 1969, at the age of nine, her family migrated to the United States in Brooklyn, New York where she lived with her mother, stepfather, Andy Mitchell (Guy), her two sisters Jennifer and Patricia, and her brother Dix. In 1976, her family later moved to Queens where she would spend most of her adolescent years. She attended IS 72 where her athletics abilities were showcased in track and field. She excelled and medaled in the hurdles and long jump.
Paula took an early interest in art. She won an art contest in Jet Magazine before she had formal art training. Her mother recognized that she was artistically gifted and pushed her to pursue that gifting She was accepted into the prestigious Art and Design School in Manhattan, New York. It was there, her vast artistic talents were honed. She graduated in 1978. Her gift made room for her and for many years after that, she was highly sought to design and sew clothing - from creating wedding dresses, bridal party dresses, knitted clothing, and other high-end garments, Paula's hands could do it all!
However, in 1979, a pivotal moment happened in her life, she was introduced to the Soul Saving Station Church of Harlem New York, where she gave her life over to Christ. She attended Bible College and completed advanced studies in the Bible. Paula loved the Word of God, and it was evident in how she patterned her life to live. Even though she was quiet in nature, she was a true evangelist in that she told people about the God she served in word and deed!
In 1980, she met her future husband Steve Washington Howden. After dating for three years, they were married in 1983. Out of that union, Anthony Steven Howden (b. 1983), Samuel Alexander Howden (b.1985) and Candace Ann Mae Howden (b.1987) were born. In 1990, her family left New York and migrated to Maryland, where she devoted much of her life to raising her kids. She worked alongside her husband in his company and were his eyes behind the scenes. Paula’s home life was rich. Her joy was in providing for her family. She would often quote “the blessing of the Lord makes rich and adds no sorrow.”
In 1999, Paula was reunited with her biological father. They met in Georgetown, Guyana and she discovered she had 11 more siblings. Malcolm, Barry, Wendy, Christine, Stephanie, Joy, Carlotta, Sherma, Rhonda, Walter, and Tanzia, along with a host of loving nieces and nephews! In 2015, the family grew even more, and her first grandson Ellington Addo was born. In 2018, her first granddaughter, Cadence Addo was born and with open arms, she also welcomed her daughter-in-law, Jenise Howden (née Walters), who married her son Samuel. In that union, Harper Rae Howden was born.
Paula was a woman of virtue. A Proverbs 31 woman through and through! She was ardent in living an exemplary life for God and her children and grandchildren are a testament to the legacy she left. Over the years, her artistic talents grew immensely. She was a true artist in every sense of the word. She loved nature and captured it through drawing, painting, and photography.
Paula laid her eyes to rest at 11:28 pm on July 26th, 2021. She is survived by her husband, Steve, 3 children, Anthony, Samuel, and Candace, daughter-in-law, Jenise, grandchildren Ellington, Cadence, and Harper Rae, and another new addition on the way. She is also survived by her aunts, sisters, brothers, sisters-in-law, a brother-in-law, cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Her Nigerian family will miss her as well.
One final note: She said when she passed on, she wanted people to take away one thing… “She was blessed!!!”
Family and friends are invited to gather at the Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Inc., 7250 Washington Boulevard, Elkridge, MD 21075 ( exit 6 south off Rt., 100) on Friday, August 6, 2021 from 11:00 am till the start of the Celebration of Life Funeral Service at 1:00 pm. Please join the family as we are going to Livestream the Service on this website at Gary L. Kaufman Funeral Home at Meadowridge Memorial Park. The Inurnment will be held at a later date privately at Meadowridge Memorial Park, Elkridge, MD. The family would like donations in Paula's name to the American Cancer Society.
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