Valeria Cordova

The beloved Valerie Cordova was born in New Orleans, LA to Edmond Cordova and Pauline Nelder Cordova on
August 22, 1941. Valeria, (her birth name), means "strong and healthy" a characteristic she lived up to getting
married and giving birth to ten children that were the joy of her life. Her large family influenced her line of work
and volunteer activities.
Valerie married William Howard, Sr. and to their union were nine children. William Howard Jr., The late Gregory
Howard, Charlene Howard, Kerry Howard, Valeria Ann (Howard) Dukes (Donnie Ray), Kenneth Howard, (Annie
Wilbur Howard), Lolita Howard, (Tyrone Holloway), Lawrence Howard, (Argentina Howard), Anthony Howard,
(Regina Brack Howard). She became remarried to Roland Raymond and to their union was her tenth and final
child, Kierra Raymond.
Valerie worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Charity Hospital for over twenty years. She later changed her
career path working at McDonough 35 and McDonough to Adult Education. Valerie spent countless hours as a
volunteer for the D.A.R.E. program for the public school system. Valeria had strong faith in God. Her belief in God
kept her strong and peaceful throughout her life.
Besides what she did for her career and numerous volunteer hours, Valerie loved and cared for her family dearly.
She hosted many family gatherings and always had a house full of grandkids during summer breaks.
She was always ready to dance and was the life of any party. Although she had a fun-loving spirit, she did not shy
away from discipline when needed. Her sometimes-stern demeanor expressed her passion regarding how much she
loved and cared for her family.
One of Valerie's greatest joys was being a beloved grandmother, great-grandmother, and great -great grandmother. It
was her joy to see her family together enjoying each other's company, good food and great memories. Valerie's
favorite holiday was Christmas. During the Christmas Holiday, the family had the grandest of
celebrations. Grandchildren included the following: Aisha Hammond, Gregory Hammond, Keith Howard, Trenice
Howard, William Howard (deceased) Miranda Jones (deceased), Kara Jones, Cedric Howard, Craig Howard,
Sintinya Howard, Brittany Howard, Devin Howard, Asia Howard, Sadiq A. Howard, Christeaina Holmes, Acora
Holmes, Reina Howard, TJ Hilliard, Khalil Hilliard, Tahlil Hilliard, Daniel Miranda Jr. (Honorary), Liam
Vinnett (Honorary), and a host of great-grandchildren and one great-great grandchild.
On Aug 22, 2021, Valerie's family gathered to celebrate her life with a surprise 80th birthday party. She could not
have been any happier to celebrate such a milestone with the ones she truly loved.