Ophelia Howard was born on December 19, 1934 to the late Joshua Sr. and Ophelia Olden Fraiser in the Dalzell Community of Sumter. She attended Stateburg and High Hills schools, and graduating from Lincoln High School in 1954. Ophelia started at Morris College and further her education at Community College of Staten Island, New York.

On July 8, 1952, Ophelia united in Holy Matrimony to the late Harold Howard, Jr. and they were blessed with three children.

Ophelia accepted Christ as her personal Savior at an early age and joined Wayman Chapel AME Church where her faith journey began. She participated in appropriate church activities until she left the area and moved to Bayonne, NJ, there she united with Wallace Temple A.M.E Zion Church and faithfully supported several ministries including: Senior Choir, Secretary of the Trustee Board, Women's Missionary Society, Stewardess Board, Conference Workers and served as delegate to several Annual Conferences.

When Ophelia returned to South Carolina, she became an active member and was faithfully serving as Secretary of the Wilhelmenia "Sweetheart" Burgess Women's Missionary Society for eight years, member of Stewardess Board #1 and Church School Class #1. She was exemplary in her faith as she believed and always encouraged others to "pray and trust God".
Ophelia career path begun in South Carolina as an aide for the children of the White/Anderson Families. She was later employed by the state of New York as an occupational therapist at Willow Brook State School in Staten Island New York, retiring in 1988.

Ophelia was a joyful, kind hearted person who did not mind rendering any service she could to those who needed her. She loved cooking and baking and making others laugh will be memories for many as she nurtured because she was organized in every aspect of her life, always keeping a positive attitude while dealing with her family and friends. At Delaine Community Center, she enjoyed participating in crafts, games interacting with the members and faithfully attending Bible Study.

Precious memories will be shared by her children; Mary L. Howard of Bayonne, NJ and Joseph L. (Mary Ellen) Howard of El Paso, TX; granddaughters, Natecha (James) Johnson of Joshua, TX, Joetta L. Howard of Atlanta, GA and Tia M.O. Howard of Baltimore, MD; grandson, Dennis Dortch of Los Angeles, CA; three great grandchildren, Semaj E. Johnson, Zion Johnson and Trinity L. Howard; two sisters, Josephine Fraiser and Janie L. (John) Colbert, Sr. both of Sumter, SC; special brothers, Thomas Brown of Sumter, SC and Richard (Ruth) Brown of Sumter, SC; daughter-in-law, Janie Moultrie of Pineville, SC; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Howard of Sumter, SC, Joan Fraiser of Paterson, NJ and Geneva Fraiser of Bayonne, NJ; special niece and nephew, James and Merna Johnson of Wedgefield, SC; a dear cousin, Rev. Robert Thompson and a host nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her son, Harold Howard III, sister, Mary E. Hunter, brothers, Joshua Jr. Powell, James and John Henry; nieces, Priscilla Vera Fraiser White Russ and Patricia Ann Fraiser.

Public Viewing will be held on Fri., May 12, 2017 from 3-7pm at Job's Mortuary.

Mrs. Howard will be placed in the church on Sat. at 10am for viewing until the hour of service.

Funeral Services will be held on Sat., May 13, 2017 at 11am at Wayman A.M.E. Chapel with Rev. Dr. Dennis W. Broughton, Jr. Officiating.

Interment will follow in Hillside Memorial Park.

Family will be receiving friends at the home, 5570 Cane Savannah Road, Wedgefield, SC.