Ellen Louise Dolvey Howard

A native of Baltimore, ELLEN LOUISE DOLVEY HOWARD was an only child born on April 8, 1929, to loving, caring, and supportive parents, the late Lucious Norman Dolvey and the late Ann Louise Tignor Dolvey. Ellen’s first home, 1904 Druid Hill Avenue, was her place of birth and is still standing. When Ellen was ten years old, she and her parents moved to the historic Morgan Park where they built their home at 2326 Ivy Avenue. Along with her friends, she played the piano, jacks, marbles, pick-up sticks and playing with their dolls and riding their bikes. Having fun, she frequently walked to the neighborhood store with her friends for onion pickles and ice cream; and persuaded her dad, to light up the fireplace so they could have roasted marshmallows. Ellen and her friends loved circling Morgan Park during the holiday, to sing Christmas carols for the neighbors. There were no second thoughts about higher education in Ellen’s family. It was expected and accepted as the “next step”. After Ellen graduated from Frederick Douglass High School, she immediately enrolled in Morgan State College (now University) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree. She earned a Master of Education degree from Johns Hopkins University and later received more than thirty advanced credits from Hopkins, the University of Maryland, and Morgan. Ellen was married to the late Harold Hawkins Howard, Sr. Out of this union, Harold and Ellen had two of the finest/most delightful sons to know and to love, Harold Hawkins Howard, Jr. and Larry Kent Howard. Ellen’s involvement in education exceeded more than fifty years. As an employee of the Baltimore City’s Public School System, she was appointed as an English teacher, and the first African - American selected to teach at Hamilton Junior High School. She also served as a guidance counselor at Dunbar High School and Coordinator for Educational and Occupational Information at the Central Office. She developed one of the first financial aid books, Financial Aid for Higher Education, for high school students and parents, utilized in Baltimore City and Baltimore County. Ellen’s community and service work flourished in education for youth and adults. On loan from Baltimore City Public School System, Ellen was nationally appointed by Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and served as the sole director of two “TRIO” programs- Education Talent Search and in 1979 the Maryland Educational Opportunity Center (MEOC). Both of these community-based programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Education was earmarked to provide educational information, admissions/financial aid assistance, and counseling service to youths and adults who were low-income, first-generation college bound. Under her administration as the executive director, Ellen and staff served 3,089 clients per year and enrolled, at least 800 students, annually in post-secondary education programs. It was not in Ellen’s wildest dreams that the federally funded program would have such longevity. A devoted and active member of Enon Baptist Church, Ellen gave more than fifty years of faithful service, reflecting her deep faith in God, commitment to community, and dedication to uplifting others. Ellen’s talents and leadership have been recognized locally and nationally. She was inducted into the Maryland Executive Council for Education’s Hall of Fame, was the past president of the National Educational Opportunity Center Association, served as former trustee for the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB), was one of the four founders of the Maryland Executive Council for Educational Opportunities, and was the founder and president of Opportunities Unlimited, Incorporated. She was the recipient of numerous awards including the prestigious National Council for Opportunity in Education Walter O. Mason Award, for Exceptional Leadership Service in the Community; the Service Above Self Community Award from the Rotary Club; the Harlow Fullwood Valued Hours Award and the Trailblazers Merit Award; Outstanding Contributions and Dedicated Service to the Mid-Eastern Association for TRIO Programs. Upon graduating from Hopkins, she was inducted into Pi Lambda Theta and Phi Delta Gamma, honorary sororities; and the Enon Baptist Church 50-year service award. Ellen became a Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. member in 1951, at Morgan State College (now University) and was inducted into the Alpha Gamma Chapter. A pioneer, a pathfinder, an innovator and a woman with vision of helping others to achieve and succeed were some of her greatest joys. Ellen loved making a difference in the lives of people in her community. She had a passion and unwavering commitment to helping others and belonged to organizations that upheld the same beliefs, Baltimore Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., the Baltimore Chapter Continental Societies, Incorporated; The Philomathians, Incorporated; the Baltimore Chapter of Links, Incorporated; The Baltimore Moles, Incorporated; Baltimore Chapter of the Sophisticates, Incorporated; The Pierians, Incorporated, Baltimore Chapter, and the Modern Grannies. Ellen leaves a legacy of compassion to her community through her dedicated work. Ellen enjoyed writing, spending time at the beach, engaging in physical fitness, attending cultural arts events, and staying current with technology. Ellen loved and adored her family. She spent time traveling with her sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was so proud of her sons, Harold and Larry. She was affectionately known as “Ba” to her grandchildren, also Grandma and “GiGi” to her great-grandchildren. Ellen’s eyes would sparkle with pure love and joy whenever her grandchildren and great-grandchildren would come to visit. In addition to her two sons and daughters-in-law, Harold Hawkins Howard, Jr. and Edith W. Howard, Larry Kent Howard and Janette Soto-Howard, Ellen Howard is survived by six grandchildren and their spouses, Ryan Tignor Howard, Joi Howard, Cory Rebecca Howard Booker, Brakkton Booker, Sean Dolvey Howard, Neah Howard, Brandon Garrett Howard, Nicole Howard, Jared Alexander Howard, Brittney Howard, Alexander John Howard, Alyssa Howard; and eleven great-grandchildren, Stella Marie Howard, Ruby Eloise’ Howard, Brayden Hawkins Booker, Camryn Denise Booker, Noah Hawkins Howard, Shiloh Dennis Howard, Ethan Kent Howard, Emily Rose Howard, Josiah Garrett Howard, Micah Scott Howard, and Brooks Alexander Howard. Further, she is survived by nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and dear friends.

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Ellen Louise Dolvey Howard

April 8, 1929 - April 22, 2026