Dorothy Yancy Howard

Dorothy Yancy Howard, 97, of North Little Rock passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2014. She was born March 7, 1917, to the late Louise and Loyal Yancy in Malvern, Arkansas. Moving to Little Rock as a child, Dorothy attended Little Rock schools graduating Cum Laude from Little Rock Senior High (now Central High) and Little Rock Junior College. She received her LLB Degree from LaSalle University. Licensed to practice law in Arkansas and Federal District Courts I 1947, Mrs. Howard was one of 69 persons taking the Arkansas Bar Exam, along with three other women. Twenty-nine passed the exam, including all four women. In 1950, Mrs. Howard was licensed to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, having to appear in person before the Court and have a sponsor. Her sponsor was U.S. Senator John L. McClellan. In 1964, the National Association of Women Lawyers presented Mrs. Howard their Services Award and in 1993 their TOCH Award. These two awards are presented to only one member in the United States each year. Mrs. Howard was appointed Standing Master in Chancery for Pulaski County Courts, April 16, 1965, by Judges Murray O. Reed and Guy Williams to hear Pulaski County domestic relations litigation although the Master could be appointed to hear testimony in other cases by special appointment. Judges continued to appoint Mrs. Howard until her retirement in 1990. Prior to Mrs. Howard's appointment, she practiced law for 17 years with her husband, J. Roy Howard and stepson, James R. Howard, both of whom are now deceased. The firm was Howard and Yancy, and later Howard, Howard, and Howard. In 1987 the Pulaski County Bar Association presented Mrs. Howard with the "Lawyers Award for Professional Achievement – for Contribution of Services to the Legal Profession and the People of Pulaski County". Dorothy was a member of: The American, Arkansas, and Pulaski County Bar Associations; Arkansas Association of Women Lawyers (past President twice); National Association of Women Lawyers (Executive Board for many years and Editor of the Women Lawyers Journal); World Peace Through Law Center; Phi Alpha Delta and Phi Delta Delta legal Fraternities. A member of the First United Methodist Church of Little Rock, Mrs. Howard is survived by two first cousins: Kathlyne Behrens Eldridge of El Dorado Hill, California and Lynn "Polly" Behrens Gallagher of San Diego, California; her stepson James R. Howard and stepdaughter, Elizabeth Howard George. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, May 14, 2014, 2 p.m. at Roller-Owens Funeral Home (791-7400). Family will receive visitors one hour prior to the service at the funeral home. Arrangements made by Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 JFK Blvd., North Little Rock. Sign on-line guestbook at www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens.