Ora Lee Howard

Ora Lee (Wakefield) Howard was born on September 2, 1940, to Willie and Augusta Wakefield in St. Louis, Missouri. She was the eldest daughter of five children whom they affectionately nicknamed “Sistah”. She attended Simmons Elementary and later went on to High school in 1957. Once she left High school, she worked small jobs and over the years gave birth to four children.

 Ora moved to Detroit, Michigan in 1972 where her Christian experience began at True Missionary Baptist Church where she joined with a friend under pastor Walter Singleton. In 1977, she joined First Progressive Missionary Baptist Church to attend church with her mother and other siblings. She served on the Hospitality (Kitchen) committee for several years.

 Later, in 1981, she moved to Toledo, Ohio and joined Thomas Temple Church of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop C. E. Thomas. She worked for the church, at their furniture store and the Inn restaurant. Ora was faithful to her church until Bishop’s death. While serving her church she met the love of her life, Rev. Winfred Howard. Ora and Rev. Howard married in 1984. He preceded her in death on January 28, 2020. They were married for 36 joyous years. At the passing of Bishop Thomas in 1985, Rev. Howard was ordained Bishop over a church in Michigan. Ora served faithfully as the church’s First Lady until Bishop Howard could no longer serve before his passing. She was known in the community for her cooking and selling $2.00 dinners on Saturdays at the church with her best friend Ethel Thomas (and boy did they serve a full dinner for that price including pop and dessert). She and her husband left so many memories and good deeds that you could not list them all.

 Ora is preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, David and LeRoy Wakefield, two sisters Rose Pass and Flossie Johnson, and her husband, Bishop Winfred A. Howard.

 She leaves to cherish her memory children: Janet (Larry) Glenn, Gail Wakefield, Tommie Wakefield, Nicole Gross, and Augusta Washington (her niece whom she considered a special daughter). Godchildren: Cynthia Tatum and Marita Feemster, and Ramone Thomas, Grandchildren: Lauren Glenn, Lawrence III (Irene) Glenn, Lea Glenn, Tylon (Taneisha) Brown, Akira Gross, Dewuan Williams, Brittany Hacker-Wakefield, Isaiah Hacker-Wakefield, Lovely Wakefield and Marcus Howard. Her special grands: Chayla Overton, Johnathan Feemster, Alexus Young, TaMara Young. Great Grandchildren: Cordae Roberts, Cayden Roberts, Tylon Jr. (TJ) Brown, Tylah Brown, Kayden Hacker, Kamryn Spearman, Ireigna Glenn, and Dream Montgomery …and last but not least the Thomas Family, children, grandchildren and great grands, and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Family and friends will be received at the Worship Center, 2210 Collingwood Blvd., Toledo on Saturday, February 8, 2025 from 10:00 am-11:00 am. Services will begin at 11:00 am immediately following visitation. Newcomer Funeral Home (Southwest Chapel), Toledo is assisting the family with arrangements.