Funeral services for Joan D. Howell, a retired school teacher whose volunteer work and civic activism reached near legendary status, were held April 27, 2015 at the Oxford Presbyterian Church. Mrs. Howell died April 16, 2015, following a long illness.
Joan Diane (Yancy) Howell began her earthly journey on November 20,1939 in Philadelphia as the second child born to the late Thornton Yancy, Jr. and Alice Jackmon Yancy. A 13-year survivor of multiple myeloma, the Lord saw fit to call her home on April 16, 2015.
Joan attended public schools in Philadelphia and graduated from Germantown High School in 1957. Understanding the importance of obtaining a higher education, she attended Cheyney State College and later completed her Early Childhood Education Certification at Temple University.
Joan’s 30-year career as a pre-school teacher for the School District of Philadelphia began at Richard Allen Homes, and she retired from the Benjamin Franklin Childcare Center in 1996. She expressed love and received a great deal of satisfaction caring for the children and educating the parents on good parenting techniques and skills.
Her friends loved to join her on many travel destinations. Joan cherished her annual summer beach time at the Jersey Shore and looked forward to time spent at the family home, built by her grandfather in Gloucester, Virginia. She enjoyed all of the arts and continued the family tradition of going to local parades, big or small, and loved the Drum and Bugle Corps competitions.
She was very proud of and close to her family. Joan was the solid foundation for all of her daughter’s endeavors and was always available to help her family when needed. Nana was especially proud of her granddaughter with whom she shared their favorite pastimes of shopping and dining out.
Joan was a long-time volunteer at the African American Museum of Philadelphia and the Parliamentarian for The American Women’s Heritage Society for Belmont Mansion. She also served as Treasurer for the 2000 African American Women’s organization since its inception in 1992, until 2015, and passionately believed in its mission.
She was very active in political campaigns, too numerous to mention, for many elected officials. She shared her gifts of dedication, honesty, and sincerity with those who sought political office. For the last 10 years, she was a dedicated office volunteer for Pennsylvania State Representative Cherelle Parker. In this role, it was evident that Joan loved to help anyone she could assist and provided the type of servant-leadership needed in the community at-large.
The family wishes to extend heartfelt gratitude to friends Barbara Callands, Marilyn Clyburn, Barbara Dutton, Marty Madison, Shirley and Thomas Ransome, and Lem Roberts who provided special care and support during the final months of her life.
Sissy, as she was affectionately known by her family and close friends, was predeceased by her parents and her sister, Gloria Yancy. Family members left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Lisa Shepherd and son-in-law, Gary Shepherd; grand-daughter, Ayanna; step-grandchildren Dana and Eron; brother and sister-in-law, Thornton and Nancy Yancy; aunt, Isadora Jackmon as well as many nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family and friends.
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