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Howard University

OTHELLO POULARD Obituary

OTHELLO WAYNE POULARD
August 19,1938 ~ December 19, 2016 Social Work Champion Born in Crowley, Louisiana, Mr. Poulard attended undergraduate school at Southern University, went on to Yale University School of Divinity and obtained Masters in Social Work from Howard University. He then served 30 Years as Senior Executive of Center for Community Change in Washington, DC, advocating for those in need of affordable housing across the country. He is cheering on a life partner, three children, two grandchildren, a brother and sister, nieces and nephews and host of loving family members from the great cloud of witnesses.We honor the life, legacy and service to humanity with a Testimonial Gathering on January 7, 2017 at 2 p.m. at Rhema Christian Center Church, 1825 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington DC. Please RSVP or make contributions to the OWP Legacy Fund, please email at: [email protected]

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by The Washington Post on Jan. 1, 2017.

Memories and Condolences
for OTHELLO POULARD

25 Entries

ART WALKER

January 31, 2017

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Othello,my childhood friend and H.C. Ross High School classmate of 1955. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.

January 27, 2017

I was sadden to hear of the passing of Othello. Even though I had not seen him in over 50 years, I remember him as one of the shinning stars from our home town of Crowley, La. who went on to do well for himself and others.
May he rest in peace.
Dr. Eddie J. Lewis of Arizona

Juliet Barabin

January 9, 2017

My godfather memory of the last time I saw him in Tennessee for Aunt Bea's surprise party Gwen

Gayle Funderburg

January 8, 2017

Unk,
I wish I could see you one more time
But I know that is impossible I will hear your voice no more. I know you can feel my tears and don't want me to cry yet my heart is broken because I can't understant why someone so precious had to die.
I pray that God will give us strengh and somehow get us through as we struggle with this heartache that came when we lost you.
Love you Unk to the moon and back. RIP

Allen Fishbein

January 8, 2017

Othello and I worked together at the Center for Community Change for many years. He was an able and caring colleague whose commitment to social justice and civil rights were a continuing source of inspiration to me. Othello had many responsibilities and was engaged in many projects but he could always be counted on to make time to help resolve a thorny problem or bring perspective that lifted the spirits. He had the rare ability to communicate and connect with all kinds of people and to affect their lives in a positive and lasting way. He made a difference to me and so many others and it was a privilege to know him. My deepest sympathies to his family and many loved ones.

Bobby Felder

January 7, 2017

My deepest sympathy to the Poulard family. May God shower you with his blessings.

January 7, 2017

Tribute to Mr. Othello Poulard
On behalf of the Group
By Dr. Alma C. Hobbs

Mr. Othello Poulard must have entered this earth on the wings of humility. He touched so many lives and changed circumstances making things better than he found them. While he entered earth at a time of segregation, he spent his life in pursuit of equality, justice, and respect for all. His spirit was filled with the demonstration of love for family, faith and friends. Over his lifetime, he did so much for so many without expectations in return; and continued to do so until the end. He departed this earth with a life well lived.

During his career, he was a pioneer and broke many records and barriers, He was not just respected for his accomplishments, accolades and awards. He was most respected for being the kind of person that reflected how he treated others regardless of status, circumstances, and conditions. He demonstrated full responsibility for initiating and achieving mutual respect because he first respected himself. He was accountable for his own integrity, personhood, and treated others with respect; particularly, when others disrespected him.

It was Othello's state of truly being human that earned him the respect of others. He knew that equality and justice was not being superior or inferior to anyone, but rather equality and justice was the only way possible for others to reach their full potential in life. Othello's state of humility was very humbling to his ego; therefore, he was sensitive to value-differences that created valued distinctions such as education, color, heritage, intelligence, propensity for technology, and physical characteristics. He recognized that we all are one in the spirit of God and that everyone should be treated with equity, fairness, justice, dignity and respect.

In closing, I would say that Othello was transformational as his spirit transcended across racial, gender, and social lines, often sharing his knowledge and wisdom with others. He was committed to shaping hearts and minds, thus making a profound difference in the lives of people, communities and the nation. Othello knew that there was more to life than living and more to death than dying. He lived life with an urgency of destiny because he was aware that life is temporary, and death is final. Therefore, it behooves everyone to make every day your best day and if it is your last day, then you would have live your last day on your best day. Othello lived his life to the fullest and with the solace that he lived it on his best day, Yes, Othello came; he touched, transformed lives, making all of us better for his coming. Othello will be greatly missed but never forgotten, for he was a man among men.
The Group (2017:
Willie Armstrong, Sharon Blackett, Barbara Burge, Joseph Clipper, Clarence Cross, Barbara Evans, Drue Guy, Barbara Hicks, Alma Hobbs, Al Houston, Michael Humphries, Janie Jeffers, Ernie Lee, Ernest Middleton, Carolyn Moye, Marriette Palmer, Grady Poulard, Othello Poulard (deceased), Margaret Turner, Rennie Saunders, Janet Sledge

Charlotte Sobel

January 6, 2017

What a great loss for all of us. Othello was one of my champions at the Center for Community Change. During times of stress, he offered comforting words and sage advice.
Words alone cannot acknowledge the gentleman and the community elder he was to many of us.
I am grateful for having known him.
My deepest sympathies to his family and extended family. His faith was strong so he is now with us in spirit forever.

Annette Duke

January 6, 2017

As a colleague of Othello's during his days at the Center for Community Change, I learned much from Othello as he worked to empower those not in power. He was a passionate, strategic, and humble advocate giving his whole soul to the cause. He led a living of meaning. My thoughts are with his family.

January 5, 2017

Prayers continued for a helpful Poullard Family. I enjoyed listening to Othello sing in church. Peace to you Gwen and Grady Jr. He is safe in the arms of God. The Crowley Alfred Andrus, Sr.Family and the Cal and Kathleen Wilson Family in Tuskegee. TLC Always

Jeannie Hicks

January 3, 2017

Othello had such a peaceful spirit. I suspect butterflies often sat on his shoulder. A life well lived, well loved and well done.

Jacquelyn Simmons

January 3, 2017

To The Family of Othello:
I was saddened to see Othello's smiling face in the obituary pages two days ago. We met many years ago on a day when I thought he was his brother, Grady, whom I had met many years before the day I met Othello, who was such a fine gentleman. It has been a while but I always enjoyed talking with him and sometimes we "hung out." Rest in Perfect Peace Othello.
Be Blessed,

January 2, 2017

May the peace of knowing the promises of our Heavely Father be with you all. Veronica Poullard Montgomery , Lafayette, La.

VERONICA MONTGOMERY

January 2, 2017

God is our only source. Lay all of your burdens on Him.

Joan McKinley-Shelton

January 2, 2017

My condolences to the family and my prayers are with them during their time of grief. I served with Othello on the NW Settlement House Board and continued to work together on special community projects.

Mary BROWN

January 2, 2017

To the Poullard family, we the members of Victory of Deliverance Outreach Ministry under the leadership of our Pastor "Rev. Dr. Mary Brown" is extending our heart - felt condolences to your family. Just remember that earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal. May God continue to bless and keep you all in this time of bereavement is our prayer for you all.

PATRICIA POULLARD-DAVIS

January 2, 2017

MAY THE PEACE OF GOD REST UPON YOU.

Audrey Martin

January 2, 2017

I am praying for my friend Gwen and her wonderful family on the loss of their brother, Othello. The memories of his good work will make it easier to bear, as time goes on.

January 1, 2017

Dear Family,
I remember Othello and his family while growing up in Crowley. I send everyone my prayers and words of comfort during this time of sadness.
Rest in peace,Mr. Othello Poulard.
--signed
Barbara Spencer
Ross High Class of l965

January 1, 2017

Mrs. Gwen, you and your family have our deepest sympathy and are in our prayers. Love, Curtis, Gwen, Christian and Noa

Carole D Broussard

January 1, 2017

May the Lord grant you peace during your time of grief. I will keep Orthello in my daily prayers.

Paulette Lemelle

January 1, 2017

Othello's family has my prayers, love, and sympathy. He was such a wonderful brother to his sister, Gwen Harris, and his brother. May he rest in the arms of Jesus.

Minister Patsy Jones

January 1, 2017

To the Pollard family:
God in His infinite wisdom has orchestrated Othello's transition from earth to glory according to His divine plan. Ours is to accept His perfect will in this situation although it grieves our souls! Remember, "earth has no sorrow that heaven cannot heal"! Praying for added strength in this season of distress and grief!

Ronnie Jill Kweller

January 1, 2017

Condolences to the family of Othello Poulard, who was my boss at the Center for Community Change from late 1977 to 1981. Othello was a terrific supervisor who respected my knowledge and gave me a great deal of autonoy, despite my young age at that time. I have thought of Othello fondly over the years and join his family in mourning his passing.

Joyce Poulard

January 1, 2017

My love and sympathy to the family.

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