WHEREAS, Lillie Florence Speller Howard, a beloved wife, mother, and grandmother and a vibrant member of the Portsmouth community, died on October 16, 2021; and

WHEREAS, affectionately known to family and friends as "Sugar Baby," Lillie Howard grew up in Windsor, North Carolina, and attended W.S. Etheridge High School; and

WHEREAS, in 1951, Lillie Howard relocated to Portsmouth, where she lived with her sister and was employed at a local jewelry store; she subsequently attended what is now Norfolk State University, then worked at a pickle factory in Norfolk; and

WHEREAS, Lillie Howard joined the Department of the Navy in 1970 as a civilian employee in the linen room at what is now Naval Medical Center Portsmouth; she was promoted to medical records clerk, then became the lead medical records technician responsible for more than 80,000 patient records; and

WHEREAS, Lillie Howard received several Civilian of the Quarter Awards from the Department of the Navy, and in 1991, she received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award for her commitment to excellence; and

WHEREAS, Lillie Howard retired from the Department of the Navy in 1995 after 25 years of outstanding service to the nation; and

WHEREAS, Lillie Howard supported the Portsmouth community as a member of the Cavalier Manor Civic League and her children's parent-teacher association and as a volunteer for neighborhood celebrations and the United Way; and

WHEREAS, Lillie Howard enjoyed fellowship and worship with the community as a longtime member of Third Baptist Church, where she volunteered as a missionary and offered her leadership to several church committees and ministries; and

WHEREAS, predeceased by one son, Baby Howard, Lillie Howard will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by her husband of 68 years, Paul; her children, Paulette, Sylvia, Sylvester, Paul III, and Lisa, and their families; and numerous other family members and friends; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of Virginia hereby note with great sadness the loss of Lillie Florence Speller Howard; and, be it

RESOLVED FURTHER, That the Clerk of the Senate prepare a copy of this resolution for presentation to the family of Lillie Florence Speller Howard as an expression of the Senate of Virginia's respect for her memory.