MS. HOWARD was born the only child to Susie and Clifford Howard on November 11, 1938 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. Lenora attended parochial school in Tuscaloosa until 1945 when the family moved to San Diego, CA, where she attended local schools in the community. Ms. Howard graduated in 1956 from San Diego High School followed by attendance at San Diego City College, San Diego State University, and Pasadena Nazarene College. Ms. Howard was a member of the Calvary Baptist Church under the pastorage of the late Rev. N.E. Taylor; baptized at age 11 by the late Rev. Rowson; and grew in faith under the teachings of the late Rev. S.M. Lockridge as well as many other warriors of the church. While at Calvary Baptist, she served as Intermediate Secretary, President of the Vesper Choir, member of the Sanctuary Choir, worked for years with the Vacation Bible School and worked faithfully during the building of the church by working in the kitchen on weekends serving the workmen. Ms. Howard was united in holy matrimony with James E. Hatcher and to this union two children, Tairra L. Hatcher and Byron K. Hatcher, were born in France while Mr. Hatcher served in the U.S. Army. Ms. Howard became a founding member of New Life Church under the pastorage of Rev. Troy P. Owens Sr. and served as a member of the Board of Trustee, Sunday School Class #2; Women of New Life Ministry and the building Fund Committee Chair. Ms. Howard’s working career began as an Elevator Operator for Lion’s Clothiers. She became the first black hired at the Astronautics Employment Office. She also worked in the City Manager’s Office, where she worked all layers of Government; City, County, State, and Federal. Ms. Howard retired from the U.S. Marshal Service, where she was a faithful and dedicated employee for over 20 years. Ms. Howard travels included 4 ½ years in France, where she was able to travel to Germany, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Ireland. She also toured Canada, Isle of Puerto Rico, Nassau, Martinique and St. Thomas. Her work related travels with the U.S. Marshals included Burlingame, Phoenix, Tucson, Seattle, St. Petersburg, Dallas, Santa Barbara, FLETC Training in GA, to name only a few. Ms. Howard would continuously boast that God divinely orchestrated her entire life’s journey beginning with choosing her parents and family, schools, jobs, children, church and friends; she would say “When God would allow me to make a decision, He would always step in and make everything all right. I learned a long time ago to depend and trust in Him in all things.” Ms. Howard left her earthly journey on December 29, 2016. On Ms. Howard’s birthday, November 11, 1984, her mother preceded her in death; 7 months later, her father preceded her in death. Ms. Howard leaves to mourn her spiritual journey, two children, Tairra L. Hatcher and Byron K. Hatcher; two grandsons, Neiman M. and Caleb C. Hatcher; a host of relatives, her New Life Church Family, and many, many friends.
Services for Lenora J. Howard was held Friday, January 6, 2017 at New Life Baptist Church; Interment at Cypress View Mausoleum. Final arrangements were entrusted to Anderson-Ragsdale Mortuary.
