{"id":5444,"date":"2023-03-03T11:56:43","date_gmt":"2023-03-03T17:56:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/?p=5444"},"modified":"2023-03-08T08:13:42","modified_gmt":"2023-03-08T14:13:42","slug":"a-tribute-to-marguerite-parrish-howard-1928-2023","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/a-tribute-to-marguerite-parrish-howard-1928-2023\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tribute to Marguerite Parrish Howard (1928 \u2013 2023)"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Marguerite<\/a><\/h2>\n

Marguerite Parrish Howard<\/strong><\/h2>\n

1928 \u2013 2023<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Our beloved matriarch, Mrs. Marguerite Lee Parrish Howard, 94, of Greenville, SC, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2023. She was an amazing woman who had a remarkable life, most of which was spent in service to God and others in India, the land of her birth.<\/p>\n

Marguerite was born April 18, 1928, in Jha Jha, Bihar, India to missionary parents, Rev. Marvin Evander Parrish and Alma Ethel Clower Parrish, ministering in Colonial India. The Parrish family later grew to include Helen, Marvin Jr., Giles, and David. When Marguerite was seven years old, she came to faith in Christ. She spent her formative years in small-town Bihar and later attended Woodstock School in Mussoorie, a hill station in the foothills of the Himalayan Mountains, which was 900+ miles away\u2013\u2013a three-day train ride from her home on the plains.<\/p>\n

When Marguerite was 14 years old, the events of World War II made it necessary for the Parrishes to leave India. They were evacuated from Bombay in May 1942 on the S.S. Brazil,<\/em> an ocean liner that had been converted to a troop ship. The six-week voyage during wartime was full of danger, but they arrived safely in New York Harbor, greeted by the Statue of Liberty. Upon their return to America, Marguerite\u2019s family lived in Roanoke, VA, Buffalo, NY, and Toledo, OH. During high school, her goal was to be an executive secretary; however, in January 1946, she accepted God\u2019s call to return to India as a missionary. Her secretarial training stood her in good stead, and she used the skills, especially typing, acquired in high school on a daily basis in her work as a missionary. She graduated from Libbey High School in Toledo, OH in 1946 and left for Greenville, SC later that year to attend Holmes Bible College in preparation to serve in India as a career missionary.<\/p>\n

While at Holmes, Marguerite fell in love with Rev. Hobert Hoover Howard of Advance, NC, a very handsome returning student who, in October 1945, had felt the call of God on his life to minister in India. Both Hobert and Marguerite completed their Th.B. degrees at Holmes in 1948 and 1949, respectively. They were married in August 1949, and she joined him in ministry at Thomasville (NC) Pentecostal Holiness (PH) Church. In June 1951, the Howards sailed from New York Harbor on a freighter to India, docking in Calcutta in a newly independent India after a 50-day voyage. They took the train up country to live and work for the next 62 years in the area of Bihar where Marguerite\u2019s parents, the Parrishes, had served years earlier.<\/p>\n

As new missionaries, Marguerite and Hobert attended a two-year Hindi language course at the Landour Language School in Mussoorie, where Marguerite had attended Woodstock School. They were diligent and motivated students and both mastered reading, writing, and speaking Hindi beautifully. In time, the Howards welcomed three daughters, Evelyn, Patricia, and Linda, all of whom were born in Bihar and later went on to attend Woodstock School. Though separated from her daughters by 900+ miles for months at a time, Marguerite spanned the miles with daily letters to each one, assuring them of her love and care. Each summer, Marguerite took the long train journey to Mussoorie to be with her children for a few months, and Hobert joined them for a few weeks.<\/p>\n

Traveling was a significant part of the Howard family\u2019s life. Ships and planes took them to various countries including England, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt, Aden (Yemen), Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, and beyond. Travel domestically in India meant adventures by train, bus, taxi, tonga, rickshaw, ox cart, Tuk-Tuk (auto rickshaw), boat, \u201cdandee\u201d (coolie-borne palanquin), \u201ckundee\u201d (wicker backpack basket chair for carrying toddlers in the mountains), on foot, and in the Howard\u2019s bare-bones Land Rover! This all meant that Marguerite was an expert packer, a far-sighted planner, and an adaptable traveler. Travel in India meant bringing safe, boiled water, food, and bedding on every trip.<\/p>\n

Marguerite always had a tender heart towards children, and the Howards prioritized education by raising funds and administering child sponsorship programs. She and Hobert continued the PH ministry to children begun by her parents and their colleagues years earlier. The mission boarding schools accepted children from many backgrounds, including many from villages and some children who had been orphaned. These schools educated the children\u2019s minds, expanded their horizons, and taught them about God\u2019s love. Children were encouraged to pursue higher education, training, and\/or trades, and many chose to become pastors or teachers, later returning to work alongside the Howards and their fellow missionaries. Over the years, churches were opened in new areas, increasingly further away, and were pastored by young men who had been raised in the mission schools. Initially, ministry was to smaller communities but expanded across the nation and eventually included churches planted in India\u2019s largest cities and in Nepal and Bangladesh.<\/p>\n

Marguerite and Hobert were amazing ministry partners, and their ministry was undergirded with daily prayer and Bible reading. (Marguerite read her Bible cover to cover each year for much of her adult life, completing the entire Bible at least 60 times.) Their ministry over the years was broad and included preaching, teaching, leadership training, friendship evangelism, planting churches, mentoring, women\u2019s ministry, and parenting their Indian sons and daughters. They also raised funds for ministers\u2019 training, orphans\u2019 weddings, support of widows, child sponsorship programs, and building churches, schools, and parsonages. Marguerite played the piano beautifully, and she and Hobert often sang duets together. The family frequently gathered for impromptu hymn or worship chorus singalongs when Marguerite sat down to play the piano.<\/p>\n

Out of respect for the Indian culture, when she was in her late thirties, Marguerite adopted Indian dress and wore it for the rest of her life. She thoroughly enjoyed wearing sarees, from colorful everyday cottons to exquisitely embroidered silks. Wearing sarees was her signature style, and it provided her with the opportunity to talk to others about the land of her birth, her faith, and her ministry.<\/p>\n

Marguerite and Hobert were 13,000 miles away from their adult daughters and their families for many years; however, as grandparents, they tried to be present for their grandchildren\u2019s births, graduations, and (pre-COVID) weddings. They looked forward to fun family reunions, many at the lake, telling stories and celebrating family milestones. Marguerite\u2019s gift of corresponding meant her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren regularly received cards and letters, and the Howards thoughtfully brought unique Indian gifts to their loved ones.<\/p>\n

Though the Howards retired from full-time ministry at age 85 to the city where they met, their hearts never stopped beating for India. Even in retirement, they were busy raising funds for special projects and medical needs in India. Marguerite was in ministry until her final days. She continued pray for her family, friends, and loved ones around the world even though failing health limited her ability to travel. Her life touched thousands of other lives globally, and her legacy is ongoing.<\/p>\n

Surviving are her husband, Rev. Hobert H. Howard; three daughters: Evelyn M. Lettieri (Dr. John T. Lettieri), Patricia H. Lyons (Dr. William L. Lyons), and Linda K. Niehaus (Mr. Theodore W. Niehaus); seven grandchildren: John W. Lettieri (D\u2019Ann G. Lettieri), Ruth Lettieri McElroy (J. Andrew McElroy), Samuel L. Lyons (Kendra P. Lyons), Joseph H. Lyons (Alexis M. Lyons), Rachel L. Niehaus, Michael W. Niehaus, and Bethany E. Niehaus Merrick (William T. Merrick); five great-grandchildren: Jack W., Rose P.,\u00a0 and William O. Lettieri, and Luke B. and Lily S. M. McElroy; and many beloved extended family members.<\/p>\n

A funeral service will be held at\u00a02:30 p.m. Saturday, March 11, 2023, at Redland Church, IPHC, Advance, NC, where the Howards have been members since the 1940s.\u00a0Interment will follow at Bethlehem United Methodist Church cemetery, Advance, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the church prior to the service. Additional information can be found at www.hayworth-miller.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Donations:<\/strong><\/p>\n

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to one of the Bible Schools below. Training the next generation of Christian ministers was always close to Marguerite\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

Howard-Parrish Fund fbo Holmes Bible College (Greenville, SC)<\/strong><\/p>\n

c\/o Mr. Reggie Till (Treasurer, IPH Foundation)<\/p>\n

5511 Ramsey Street, Suite 100<\/p>\n

Fayetteville NC 28311<\/p>\n

United States<\/p>\n

Please make checks payable to IPH Foundation (memo: Howard-Parrish Fund fbo Holmes Bible College)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

India Donald Memorial Training Center, Hyderabad, India<\/strong><\/p>\n

Project Number 25004P<\/p>\n

https:\/\/give.iphc.org\/project\/india-donald-memorial-training-center<\/a><\/p>\n

IPHC World Missions Ministries<\/p>\n

PO Box 270420<\/p>\n

Oklahoma City OK 73137<\/p>\n

United States<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Livestream the funeral service at 2:30 p.m. USA Eastern Time on Facebook Live or YouTube:<\/strong> https:\/\/rphc.net\/<\/a><\/p>\n

– Obituary from Hayworth-Miller Funeral Holmes<\/a><\/p>\n

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A Note from World Missions Ministries<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Mrs. Howard was one of the most Christ-like, loving, gentle, supportive, and kindest people I have ever met. Together with her beloved husband Hobert, they served the Lord and the IPHC faithfully as Career Missionaries in India for 62 years from June 1, 1995, through February 13, 2013, \u00ad\u2013 an unparalleled term of service in our ranks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Brother Hobert and Mrs. Marguerite were inseparable and proved to be great examples that challenged Stephanie and I every time we were around them. I don\u2019t know if I have ever seen a couple that honored one another more than they did.\u00a0 Every time I spoke with brother Howard on the phone, which was frequently, I could hear sister Howard in the background making comments, and particularly asking about Stephanie and instructing me to be sure to share her love for her and a special greeting.\u00a0 I still recall the gentle kiss she placed on my cheek the last time we visited with them as she told me that she loved me.\u00a0 I will miss her encouragement, love, and trust.\u00a0 Every person needs a Marguerite Howard in their life!<\/span><\/p>\n

Shortly after my first visit to India in January 2013, the Howards retired and returned to the US.\u00a0 At that time, I was privileged to travel to four different conferences and hear their farewell remarks to those whom they had given their lives in ministry service to for 62 years.\u00a0 I know that Evelyn, Trish [Patricia], and Linda are their biological daughters, but I met hundreds of people who loved and deeply revered them as not only their spiritual parents but \u201cadoptive\u201d as well.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Two stories that Mrs. Marguerite told during those conferences, and relayed to me on numerous occasions since then, have impacted me greatly, and I often use them when talking with young leaders.<\/span><\/p>\n

The first was a story from when she was a student at Holmes Bible College and was struggling to surrender to her call to missionary service during a Wednesday evening prayer meeting. She said she had repeatedly told the Lord that she was not \u201cmissionary material\u201d, but the Lord spoke to her very clearly and told her that He did not need \u201cmaterial\u201d but \u201cavailability\u201d, and that He would take her gifts, talents, and abilities and use them for His glory.<\/span><\/p>\n

The second story I heard Mrs. Marguerite tell with tears streaming down her cheeks is recorded in The Simultaneous Principle<\/em> by Dr. Frank Tunstall. It reads:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cOne of the toughest and most memorable experiences of Marguerite’s missionary career came in 1959. As her parents before her had done, she and Hobert had to leave Evelyn, their firstborn, 900 miles away in a boarding school. Marguerite found it almost impossible to do \u2013 in part because she knew how lonely she had been when her parents left her. Her emotions included anger, resentment, and bitterness at the prospect of leaving their six-year-old, so she cried out to God:<\/span><\/p>\n

Lord, I love you with all of my heart. Hobert and I have left parents, family, friends, the comforts of our country, and everything for you. We’re happy to do that and we rejoice that we’ve had the privilege of fulfilling the call you placed on our lives, but this sacrifice that you’re requiring of us now is more than I can bear. I cannot <\/em>just walk away from my little child and place her in this boarding school.<\/span><\/p>\n

Tears streamed down her cheeks as she walked on up the mountain, contemplating the separation that was only days away. As she sobbed, her mind went to the story of how Abraham offered Isaac, his precious son. Abraham had the wood, the knife, and the fire. He turned to his servants at the bottom of the mountain and said, \u2018We go up to worship.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

The Lord spoke to Marguerite in that moment and said, \u2018If you love me as much as you say you do, then make this parting with Evelyn a part of your worship.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

Marguerite walked on in the fog, pondering this message. As she did, she discovered the fog in her soul beginning to clear. It was as if a cloak fell from her shoulders. Her negative feelings were left on the path. Marguerite comprehended in a new way that her Heavenly Father, who gave His only Son, knew all about that terrible separation. Every year afterward when the Howards parted from their children \u2013 first Evelyn, then Patricia, and then Linda \u2013 they endeavored to make the departure part of their worship.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

When the Howards sailed from New York on June 11, 1951, India had three pastors and five churches. Today India reports having 2,347 churches (1,985 churches in North India and 362 in South India including the Father\u2019s House affiliate churches) and 63,720 members (47,991 members in North India and a membership of 15,729 in South India which includes the Father\u2019s House affiliate members).\u00a0 What an eternal impact this dear lady of great faith and courage made for the Kingdom\u2019s sake.\u00a0 Her life glorified the God she served in every respect!<\/span><\/p>\n

When I think of women missionaries that I have known and whom God has used powerfully, this Godly, saintly lady must be included in this listing along with names like Ms. Fannie Lowe, Mrs. Charlene West, Mrs. June Carter Canavesio, Ms. Anne Lyons, Mrs. Judith Perez, and Mrs. Maxine Lopez.<\/span><\/p>\n

Years ago, Winston Churchill planned his own funeral. At his direction, at the close of the service, a bugler positioned high up in the dome of that great cathedral sounded Taps<\/em>: \u2018Day is done, gone the sun\u2019.\u00a0 But then came a very dramatic moment, as Churchill had instructed. Another bugler was placed on the other side of the massive dome, and he played the notes of Reveille<\/em>, the universal signal that a new day has dawned and \u2018It\u2019s time to get up in the morning!\u2019 This was Winston Churchill\u2019s testimony that at the end of our lives, the last note will not be Taps<\/em>, but Reveille<\/em>! Jesus too will play a sort of Reveille<\/em> one day. He will say, Marguerite, \u201cIt is time to get up!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

We honor and remember the life and ministry legacy of this precious Saint of God and gift to our church and The Church, knowing that eternity will fully reveal the Kingdom impact that missionaries like Marguerite Parrish Howard have made in our quest to \u2018Go and make disciples of every ethnic group\u2019.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

On behalf of IPHC\u2019s World Missions family,<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Bishop J. Talmadge Gardner<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

Executive Director, IPHC World Missions Ministries\u00a0<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Marguerite Parrish Howard 1928 \u2013 2023 Our beloved matriarch, Mrs. Marguerite Lee Parrish Howard, 94, of Greenville, SC, passed away peacefully on February 28, 2023. She was an amazing woman…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":38,"featured_media":980,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,4],"tags":[487,502,375,483,154],"class_list":{"0":"post-5444","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-uncategorized","8":"category-world-missions","9":"tag-487","10":"tag-marguerite-howard","11":"tag-missionary","12":"tag-obituary","13":"tag-tribute","14":"entry"},"title_es":"Un tributo a Dora Dane McNeill Sandhu","content_es":"

Dora Dane McNeill Sandhu <\/h1>

12 de agosto de 2020<\/strong> <\/h2>

Dora Dane McNeill Sandhu, 96, de West Columbia, SC, falleci\u00f3 pac\u00edficamente en su casa la noche del 12 de agosto de 2020. Se llevar\u00e1 a cabo un servicio familiar privado en la Iglesia de Santidad Pentecostal Ebenezer, el s\u00e1bado 15 de agosto de 2020, 11:00 A.M. El servicio se puede ver en Facebook y YouTube conect\u00e1ndose a la Iglesia de Santidad Pentecostal Ebenezer a trav\u00e9s de cualquiera de las fuentes. El logo de la iglesia incluye el nombre, con una cruz y puntos rojos alrededor. <\/p>

La Sra. Sandhu naci\u00f3 en McCormick, SC, y era la hija del fallecido Freddie Oscar y Winnie Dane Dew McNeill. Dora muri\u00f3 antes que su hermana, Winifred M. Caines, y sus tres hermanos: el reverendo James R. McNeill (Gerri), O. Ray McNeill (Mildred) y P. Wesley McNeill (Ginger). Le sobreviven su esposo, Jarnail Singh Sandhu, y dos hijos: Bobby Singh (Madhu) y Anand Singh (Holly), su nieto Paul Singh Sandhu, su hermana, Beth Stalbaum, y numerosas sobrinas y sobrinos. <\/p>

Desde muy joven, el deseo del coraz\u00f3n de Dora era ser maestra y misionera. Y su Se\u00f1or y Salvador hizo realidad ambos sue\u00f1os a trav\u00e9s de caminos inusuales. Su educaci\u00f3n comenz\u00f3 en Emmanuel College en Franklin Springs, Georgia, seguida de la escuela de enfermer\u00eda en Washington, DC. Continu\u00f3 su educaci\u00f3n mientras trabajaba como enfermera de salud p\u00fablica, y finalmente recibi\u00f3 su maestr\u00eda en enfermer\u00eda. Unos a\u00f1os m\u00e1s tarde, la Universidad de Lander comenz\u00f3 a buscar a alguien que dirigiera su programa de enfermer\u00eda. Solicit\u00f3 y ayud\u00f3 a comenzar el programa de enfermer\u00eda en Lander, cumpliendo as\u00ed su deseo de ense\u00f1ar. Despu\u00e9s de dejar Lander, se convirti\u00f3 en directora ejecutiva de la Asociaci\u00f3n de Enfermeras de Carolina del Sur, donde ten\u00eda la intenci\u00f3n de permanecer, posiblemente hasta su jubilaci\u00f3n. Sin embargo, todav\u00eda hab\u00eda otro sue\u00f1o en su coraz\u00f3n. <\/p>

En 1971, Dora llev\u00f3 a un grupo de j\u00f3venes de Ebenezer a un viaje misionero a M\u00e9xico. Despu\u00e9s de ese viaje, le escribi\u00f3 al director de la misi\u00f3n denominacional que sent\u00eda que era el momento. Despu\u00e9s de ser aceptada como misionera, pas\u00f3 varios a\u00f1os en Hong Kong sirviendo como enfermera misionera y como directora de la escuela secundaria Wing Kwong College. Este fue el cumplimiento de su sue\u00f1o misionero y tambi\u00e9n ten\u00eda un bono para ella. Conoci\u00f3 a su esposo, Jarnail, en un servicio religioso internacional mientras estaba en Hong Kong. Despu\u00e9s de mudarse a los Estados Unidos, ayud\u00f3 con su negocio de importaci\u00f3n y continu\u00f3 el ministerio en su iglesia local. <\/p>

Se pueden hacer memoriales en el Departamento de Misiones de la Iglesia de Santidad Pentecostal Ebenezer, 501 Church Street, West Columbia, SC 29172. <\/p>

En nombre de la Iglesia Internacional de Santidad Pentecostal y, en particular, de su familia misionera, les extiendo nuestro m\u00e1s sentido p\u00e9same, la familia y los amigos de la Sra. Dora McNeill Sandhu.<\/em><\/span> <\/p>

\u00a0<\/em><\/span> La Sra. Sandhu era miembro del clero "con licencia" de la Conferencia del Atl\u00e1ntico Medio cuando se reuni\u00f3 por primera vez con la Junta de Misiones Mundiales para expresar su deseo de ir a Hong Kong, China, para servir como m\u00e9dica misionera. La Junta de Misiones Mundiales aprob\u00f3 por unanimidad su nombramiento como misionera de carrera y solicit\u00f3 "que se vaya tan pronto como se puedan hacer los arreglos". Siendo una dama excepcionalmente dotada, su mandato incluy\u00f3 su servicio como misionera m\u00e9dica, directora de la escuela secundaria Wing Kwong, miembro auxiliar de mujeres, pastora de una iglesia, pastora asistente, dirigi\u00f3 y sirvi\u00f3 en el ministerio de ni\u00f1os y como administradora. de una cl\u00ednica y una escuela secundaria, todo mientras se desempe\u00f1aba como misionero de carrera en Hong Kong, China, de 1972 a 1979<\/em> . Aunque su ausencia en el cuerpo se siente profundamente, su ejemplo ha dejado un impacto eterno en el reino y en aquellos que encontr\u00f3 aqu\u00ed en esta tierra.<\/em><\/span> <\/p>

'La gracia est\u00e9 con todos ustedes.'"<\/span><\/em> <\/p>

Obispo J. Talmadge Gardner<\/span> <\/p>

Director Ejecutivo, Ministerios de Misiones Mundiales de IPHC<\/span> <\/p><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>","author_name":"","jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2016\/03\/In-Loving-Memory.jpg","jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/pb62Ar-1pO","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/38"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/980"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/iphc.org\/missions\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}