Viola Geraldine Howard, 99, passed away after a prolonged illness on May 23, 2020 in her home, Kansas City, MO.  She was born on August 11, 1920 in Little Rock, AR to Etta Boyd Workcuff and Leslie P. White.  Viola and her mother moved to Kansas City, MO in 1928.  They united with the Friendship Baptist Church where she was baptized at the age of 11 under the leadership of Rev. S.C. Doyle.  Viola received her education from the Kansas City, MO School District and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1937 with honors.  She furthered her education by attending Penn Valley Jr. College and later attended the Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary.

In 1946, she married Sellers W. Howard and to that union was born two children, Dwight and Diane.  She was preceded in death by her parents, husband and her beloved grandson, Damon A. Howard.

Viola worked as a paraprofessional in the Kansas City Missouri School District for over 20 years and upon retirement became a volunteer under the Senior Companion Program sponsored by the YMCA.

Viola was very active in her church, serving dutifully as directors of music within the Music Department of the Friendship Baptist Church for 37 years.  She was an active member in Sunday School, Baptist Training Union, Women's Missionary Union and a Deaconess of the church.  She was a devoted participant of the National Baptist Convention USA, Inc.  She was also the Worship Leader in the local, state and National Congress of Christian Education for many years.  Viola served as the Director of the New Era District Choir of the New Era District Congress of Christian Education for over 30 years.

Her life was an autograph that will continue to appear in the memories of those whom she's left behind.  She leaves to mourn her passing and to rejoice her homegoing:  a loving, faithful and devoted daughter, Diane Dixon; a loving son, Dwight Andrew Howard (Jaki) of Illinois; an understanding, patient and accepting son-in-law, Ermon "Joe" Dixon; granddaughter, Carla D. Byers (Dwayne); great-grandchildren, Xavier and Lyric Byers; adopted children, LaVern Byers and Michele Howard, cousins Judy Williams, Gloria Brooks of KCMO and Donnetta Price, Jakki Washington both of California, MO and other relatives and friends.  A special thank you goes out to Ms. Sydney Harris, a loving and caring Senior Helper.

Services for Mrs. Howard will be held on Monday, June 1, 2020, at Friendship Baptist Church for family and close friends only with Rev. James A. Terrance, Jr. officiating.  Burial Forest Hill Cemetery.  Visitation 9:00 A.M. until 10:30 A.M.

**Mask and Gloves are required to enter the church**

Thoughtful care and services provided by E. S. Eley & Sons Funeral Chapel, Inc.