Tami Holland Howard

Tami Holland Howard, 51 of Marietta died Wednesday, April 29, 2009. Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Friday May 1, 2009 at Mayes Ward-Dobbins Chapel in Marietta with the Rev. Douglas Bryant officiating. Burial will be later at Tennessee-Georgia Memorial Park Cemetery in Rossville, Georgia. Survivors include her husband, Wayne Howard and a daughter Sara Elizabeth Howard both of Marietta; father, Marion Holland & his wife, Sharon of Soddy Daisy, TN; three sisters, Cynthia Dunder of Shiprock, NM, Marilyn Robinson & husband, Mickey, of Chattanooga, TN; Diedre Nida & husband, Terry of Hixon, TN; three brothers, Stephen Holland & wife, Paula of Kokomo, IN, Richard Holland of Dalton; Rev. Douglas Bryant & wife, Diana of Ringold; loving mother-in-law and friend, Mary Howard of Harrison, TN; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Tami was a devoted and loving, wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend. She was born in Peru, Indiana. She moved to Chattanooga, TN where she met and married Wayne Howard. They have spent most of their 28 years of marriage in Marietta, GA and had one daughter Sara Elizabeth, who was instantly the center of their world. Tami’s family was her first priority in life. She was the family care giver for a large and extended family and always put others before herself. She had many talents which included gardening, sewing, home making and music. She was a staunch supporter of Girl’s Softball. She was the first to arrive and the last to leave. She supplied the chairs, the food, the first aid, the encouragement and the love for each team. Whatever you needed Miss Tami had it. Tami graduated from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, MI and earned her Master’s Degree from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Tami was fortunate to find a career she loved. In her 21 years with the Atlanta Regional Commission Workforce Division, Tami wore many hats and was the principal designer for the present day One Stop Career Resource Centers, which are the service locations throughout the Metro Atlanta area where unemployed and displaced workers come for career advice and occupational skills training assistance. She was known throughout the state as the “Queen of the One-Stops”. Tami was also the management information systems expert and the key person keeping track of the thousands of people served under the federal Workforce Investment Act. This included those impacted by massive layoffs in the 90’s at Lockheed and Eastern Airlines, through recent layoffs at Ford and General Motors. She also facilitated regional workforce response to national emergencies such as Hurricane Katrina and 9/11. Tami was a valued and trusted employee of the ARC for her knowledge, compassion and caring and her expertise. Tami will be missed but has given all who knew her a measure of her strength. She was truly and dearly loved. Contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation-Greater Atlanta, P.O. Box 530107 Dept G-000125, Atlanta, GA 30353-0109. Lane Funeral Home, South Crest Chapel, 833 Chickamauga Avenue, Rossville, Georgia 30741 (706)-866-5151. Mayes Ward-Dobbins Funeral Home & Crematory in Marietta is in charge of arrangements. www.mayeswarddobbins.com