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Retired DSS employee receives Order of Long Leaf Pine

Former Granville County employee Ernestine Howard has been awarded the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, an honor reserved for those demonstrating “exemplary” service to the state – and to their community – that is “above and beyond the call of duty.” Established in 1963, the Order of the Long Leaf Pine is conferred by the Governor for those making a significant impact and for strengthening the State of North Carolina.

 

After a 42-year career, Howard retired on Dec. 31, 2020 from the Granville County Department of Social Services. The presentation was made by Senator Mike Woodard, who paid tribute to Howard’s long years of service and her dedication to the job.

 

“When I heard she had served the citizens of Granville County for more than 40 years, I knew I had to meet this person,” Senator Woodard remarked. “It’s not every day that you find someone with a career record like that. The people she served were very fortunate to have had her compassion, her assistance and her support.”

 

Starting out as a Clerk/Typist in the food stamp program, Howard transitioned to several key areas as needs of the department changed, moving to Eligibility Specialist, to Fraud Investigator for the Public Assistance Program and to Food Stamp Supervisor before earning the title of Program Administrator. While her many years of service set a record for the longest employment with the County, it was Howard’s compassion and “heart for service” that also led to the award nomination.

 

“In the time I have worked with Ms. Howard, I have seen her commitment to serving our citizens,” Social Services Director Adonica Hampton has remarked. “She could have chosen other human services opportunities, but she decided to serve at home, where her heart is. It has been my privilege to serve with her each day.”

 

As an Order of the Long Leaf Pine honoree, Howard is now included on a roster maintained by the Order of the Long Leaf Pine Society, joining notable North Carolina recipients such as Maya Angelou, Dale Earnhardt, Billy Graham, Andy Griffith, Michael Jordan, Coretta Scott King, Richard Petty, Bob Timberlake, Dean Smith, Charles Kuralt and others demonstrating proven records of service to the state of North Carolina.

 

The award presentation, held at the Department of Social Services in Oxford on Feb. 16, was attended by Granville County Board of Commissioners Chair Sue Hinman, Vice-Chair Tony Cozart, Commissioner Zelodis Jay, Social Services Director Hampton and County Manager Michael Felts, who joined Senator Woodard in offering their congratulations for this prestigious honor.

 

     

 

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