Visitation: Friday, June 16, 2023
Visitation Time: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Visitation Location: Mt. Olive AME Church
2525 W. Church Street
Orlando,Florida
Service Date: Saturday, June 17, 2023
Service Time: 11:00 AM
Service Location: Mt. Olive AME Church
2525 W. Church Street
Orlando,Florida
Obituary:
Mary Jane Howard, 87, of Orlando, transitioned into eternal rest on June 5, 2023. Mary was born on April 29,1936 to the late Willie Bell Paul and the late Will Howard in Cordele, Georgia. Mary relocated to Orlando, Florida as a teen and gained her general education from Jones High School. Being brought up in an environment of service and hospitality, Mary journeyed on to work for The Garthwaite family of Winter Park, Florida as a housekeeper and nanny for over 20 years. She then went on to serve as a housekeeper for Walt Disney World for 19 years and completed her formal working career at Comfort Inn and Suites in 1999.
Mary not only served others for a living, but she also served her church, Mount Olive A.M.E Church, for over 50 years working in the areas of the choir and April birthday Club, of which she loved and raved about. Mary was devoted to God and to prayer and was very active in her ministry’s 5am prayer calls daily through most of her time at Mt. Olive.
She loved thrifting, reading and watching the news, cooking, and hosting her family for every holiday. She was well known in her community of ” New Malibu” where she made countless friends and gained endless “bonus children”. To know Mary was to love her. She could make you laugh on your lowest day.
Mary is survived by her children: Carolyn Macon (Barry), Melvin Paul, Jacquelyn Paul, Terri Turner, Mary Marlene Paul, and Marilyn Paul-Wright all of Orlando, Florida. She’s also survived by her Goddaughter, Annie Tyler of South Carolina, 12 grandchildren, 35 great grandchildren, and 9 great-great grandchildren who all experienced her love deeply and uniquely.
Visitation will be held on Friday, June 16, 2023 from 5-7 PM at the church. A service of celebration will be held on Saturday, June 17, 2023, 11:00 AM at Mt. Olive AME Church, 2525 W. Church Street, Orlando with Rev. Dr. Marcus Green, officiating. Interment: Orlando Memorial Gardens, Apopka.
6 Comments
My condolences to my extended family. I love y’all. Ms. Mary Jane was well loved and will be greatly missed.
Thank you Sister Cynthia Jackson, yes your are correct. This week will be 4 months and I’m still grieving. Thank you for being there for us during this time.
To Marilyn Paul-Wright, Marlene Paul and LaToya Foster and the entire Howard Family.
“Earth Has No Sorrow that Heaven cannot Heal”. It is with deep sympathy that I express and extend to each of you, my sincerest Condolences; my Heart is with You All.
Yours in Christ Darnell Hilbert
To the family,
You have my sincerest sympathy for your lost. Nothing can replace the person who was the most kind, considered and thoughtful for others every time you would see her. Not only that but she was one of my mother’ (Verdell) dearest friend throughout both their lifetimes.. Family, friends and those who love her will surely miss her, but God loved her the most enough to take her home from earth into eternity.
May Jesus hold you close strengthen you and keep throughout all the days ahead….
Let me extend my sincerest condolences to your family. Mary Jane was a treasure to our family. She was with us through good times and bad times. I’m so glad she was part of our happy moments (weddings, births and anniversaries) as well as the sad. She sat with Mom during Dad’s funeral and held her hand throughout. She was deeply loved by our family and we were blessed to have known her. Thank you for sharing your mother with us.
Theresa Garthwaite Brown I do appreciate the kinds words spoken. I met you many years ago, my mom spoke of you all the time. She would say out loud ” I haven’t spoken to Mrs. Garthwaite daughter in a while I have got to call her”. And the pleasure was ours, she was truly a Universal MOM.
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