Obituary for Amanda Braboy
Ms. Amanda Louis (Howard) Braboy was born on February 8, 1939, in Ridgeway, South Carolina to Timothy and Fannie (Roach) Howard. She entered into eternal rest on Monday, October 10, 2022, at the age of 83.
Amanda spent her early years in Ridgeway attending the Mount Joshua United Methodist Church. The family relocated to Norwich when Amanda was in the first grade. For a brief time, Amanda returned to South Carolina where she was eventually promoted three grade years in only one year. When she returned to Connecticut, she became a high school student at Norwich Free Academy (NFA) where she continued to excel as an exemplary student. After graduating in 1952, Amanda attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. She received her bachelors in Math and Physics and accepted a teaching appointment in Mississippi after her graduation. She met her husband, Sylvester Braboy, before returning to Connecticut.
After her return to Connecticut, she became a devout member in her church and community. A faithful member of Evans Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church she held many positions on the local and district level in the Missionary and Christian Education departments as well as sang in the choir. She was the church secretary and created and published the morning bulletin and other correspondence for over 25 years. In 1963, along with Linwood Bland, she founded the Norwich branch of the NAACP which continues to function to this day. Amanda was involved in many aspects of community life including work on the Board of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Electa Chapter, where she served as Worthy Matron.
Amanda initially worked at a Connecticut wool company as a supervisor, she would leave there to accept a position at General Dynamics - Electric Boat as a Senior Systems Analyst where she would continue to work until her retirement.
She maintained a deep commitment to her family and was the proud mother of 3 children (Sylvia Denise Braboy, Michael Everett Bland, and Lynne Dora Bland). Amanda also reared many of her grandchildren who were blessed to enjoy a close-knit relationship with her throughout their childhood and adult years. She imparted the spirit of faith in God and love for family into all their hearts which continues as a part of her legacy.
She is predeceased by her husband, Sylvester Braboy, her parents, Timothy and Fannie (Roach) Howard; her daughter, Sylvia Denise Braboy; and her brothers, Timothy Roosevelt Howard, Morris Howard, Robert Louis Howard, Sr., and Leon Howard, Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Michael Everett Bland (Norwich, CT), daughter, Lynne Dora (Bland) Pennella (Warner Robins, GA); her sister, Bobbie Jean (Howard) Craigen (Los Angeles, CA); brother, Douglas MacArthur Howard (Bloomfield, CT); special cousin, William “Red” Roach (Norwich, CT), 18 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Thank God for the life of Amanda Louise Howard Braboy. She has earned her reward and entered into her rest.
Funeral services are Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at Evans Memorial AME Zion Church, 2 McKinley Ave, Norwich. Visiting hours start at 10 a.m. with services starting promptly at 11 a.m. Funeral services are entrusted to Lester Gee Funeral Home.
Amanda spent her early years in Ridgeway attending the Mount Joshua United Methodist Church. The family relocated to Norwich when Amanda was in the first grade. For a brief time, Amanda returned to South Carolina where she was eventually promoted three grade years in only one year. When she returned to Connecticut, she became a high school student at Norwich Free Academy (NFA) where she continued to excel as an exemplary student. After graduating in 1952, Amanda attended Livingstone College in Salisbury, North Carolina. She received her bachelors in Math and Physics and accepted a teaching appointment in Mississippi after her graduation. She met her husband, Sylvester Braboy, before returning to Connecticut.
After her return to Connecticut, she became a devout member in her church and community. A faithful member of Evans Memorial A.M.E. Zion Church she held many positions on the local and district level in the Missionary and Christian Education departments as well as sang in the choir. She was the church secretary and created and published the morning bulletin and other correspondence for over 25 years. In 1963, along with Linwood Bland, she founded the Norwich branch of the NAACP which continues to function to this day. Amanda was involved in many aspects of community life including work on the Board of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Center and was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star, Electa Chapter, where she served as Worthy Matron.
Amanda initially worked at a Connecticut wool company as a supervisor, she would leave there to accept a position at General Dynamics - Electric Boat as a Senior Systems Analyst where she would continue to work until her retirement.
She maintained a deep commitment to her family and was the proud mother of 3 children (Sylvia Denise Braboy, Michael Everett Bland, and Lynne Dora Bland). Amanda also reared many of her grandchildren who were blessed to enjoy a close-knit relationship with her throughout their childhood and adult years. She imparted the spirit of faith in God and love for family into all their hearts which continues as a part of her legacy.
She is predeceased by her husband, Sylvester Braboy, her parents, Timothy and Fannie (Roach) Howard; her daughter, Sylvia Denise Braboy; and her brothers, Timothy Roosevelt Howard, Morris Howard, Robert Louis Howard, Sr., and Leon Howard, Sr.
She leaves to cherish her memory her son, Michael Everett Bland (Norwich, CT), daughter, Lynne Dora (Bland) Pennella (Warner Robins, GA); her sister, Bobbie Jean (Howard) Craigen (Los Angeles, CA); brother, Douglas MacArthur Howard (Bloomfield, CT); special cousin, William “Red” Roach (Norwich, CT), 18 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and a host of other family and friends.
Thank God for the life of Amanda Louise Howard Braboy. She has earned her reward and entered into her rest.
Funeral services are Friday, Oct. 21, 2022, at Evans Memorial AME Zion Church, 2 McKinley Ave, Norwich. Visiting hours start at 10 a.m. with services starting promptly at 11 a.m. Funeral services are entrusted to Lester Gee Funeral Home.