Yvonne E. Rahman

Yvonne Howard Rahman was born on April 28, 1945 tp Eva M. Howard and the late Williard Howard. Her only sibling, Oscar Howard precede her in death. Daughters are the source of immeasurable joy for parents. Long before a daughter is born, she is deeply loved. Daughters are often a mother's best friend, her ally and her most precious treasure. For a father, a daughter is often the "apple of his eye, "his princess." It is no surprise that to her parent, Yvonne represented these virtues "personified". Yvonne was close to perfect as a child. Never one to cause the least problem and always doing what was expected and right without thought. she was confirmed as a Catholic, but later at attended Bridgeway Community Center in Columbia, MD faithfully until her health issues prevailed. Yvonne attended the public schools of Baltimore City through grade and junior high school. Upon reaching high school, she attended St. Frances Academy, a parochial school for African American girls. While at St Frances, she played basketball an developed long-standing friendships with some of her classmates and mentors. She later matriculated at Morgan State University and earned a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master's equivalency. While at Morgan, everyone recognized her beauty, wit, and style. She was crowned as the first and last Queen of the Iota Phi Theta Fraternity (this title was later changed to "Sweetheart"). Also, at Morgan she met and later married Dr. Frederick Kitt Adams and from this union, Yvonne gave birth to her most 'prized possession," Terri Marie Adams. Yvonne later married Calvin Lightfoot who became Terri's second father and friend. Yvonne was passionate about helping others, learning and being a "great teacher". She was always trying new things to inspire her students to learn and see the best in themselves. She taught in the Baltimore City Public Schools for over 20 years and retired from their service on 2010. She was recognized as an exemplary teacher and as a result of her desire to make learning interesting for students, Yvonne was nominated and won the Baltimore City Teacher of the Tear award in 1999. While she loved teaching, Yvonne set her sights on other work experiences and tested her wings for a few years in advertising and marketing. However, the educator bug got the best of her and she was drawn to teaching again starting with the Baltimore City House of Corrections, and later returning to the public school system. At the House of Corrections, she came in contact with many inmates that shared their life stories. One, in particular, Michael Austin, struck her as being problematic. He insisted that he was incarcerated fo a crime that he did not commit. While skeptical, she investigated his story and eventually helped him connect with the Centurion Ministries, an organization that works on behalf of those wrongly incarcerated. The organization took the case, and Yvonne worked alongside investigators from prison after 27 years. In addition to being a caring person, Yvonne was also very creative. She loved writing fiction and once wrote a play that was produced and performed in Princeton, NJ. Later in life she developed a love for painting and many of her paintings were displayed throughout her home. Yvonne leaves to rejoice in her life and cherish their memories; her beloved mother, Eva M. Howard; daughter, Dr. Terri M. Adams-Fuller; granddugter, Maia Fuller; step-daughter, Rabiah Watkins; sister-in-law, Deena H. Hackett; nephews, Patrick Howard, Roderick Toney and Paul Howard; her niece, Sheila Howard; and grandnieces and grandnephews. She also leaves to celebrate her memory: her "ride and die" friends, Michael Austin, Kenneth Carter, Gloria Gilliam, Calvin Lightfoot, Florine McCready-Lewis, Dawn and Drew Palmer, Taileia Ramsey; and anyone that was touched by her.

Tributes

Yvonne E. Rahman

April 28, 1945 - October 11, 2018