Lionella Azalea Houser of Glenarden, MD transitioned October 25, 2022.

Lionela Azalea Stuckey Houser was born May 21, 1934 as the fifth of six children to Luther Harold and Elnelda Victoria (Cox) Stuckey in Drayden, Maryland.  Did you think we misspelled her name? No, we didn't she added the extra L later in life to be Lionella also known as Leni.

She began schooling at Drayden school, a one room schoolhouse in St Mary's County MD and attended there from grades one through three.  She continued   her education in Charles County public schools after her family relocated there when she was in the fourth grade.   She graduated from Pomonkey High School as valedictorian of the class of 1951. According to her sister Eva, "She was the smartest thing in high school and all over and got all the accolades."

After graduating high school, she attended Morgan State College (now University) and graduated in 1955 with a Bachelor's Degree in Business Education.

After graduating she worked for the Public Housing Administration for 13 years.  She then worked at the Dept. of Health and Human Services as an administrative aid for 16 years until 1984 where she retired with an early out.

During that time, she met the love of her life Charlie (Charles) Lee Houser whom she married on August 22, 1964.  To this union her "favorite" daughter Karen was born five years later.  Charles and Lionella enjoyed visits with family, eating crabs,  and  going to Cabarets dancing the night away. Shopping was another one of her favorite pastimes. She would spend hours going from store to store through the aisles looking for whatever caught her eye, much to Karen's dismay.  To this day Karen does NOT like shopping.

In 1983 after 19 wonderful years together her beloved Charles, who was a Congressional Liaison Officer for the Bureau of Land Management in the Department of the Interior, was involved in a work-related helicopter crash in the Grand Canyon.   True to her character as a loving wife and devoted spouse, Lionella flew to Arizona to be by his side where she remained for the 23 days he was hospitalized until his passing on December 31, 1983, at Washington Hospital Center.

It was her faith in God that helped her to remain strong.  Not only did she devote her life to her husband, daughter, and family, more importantly she devoted her life to God.  She was an active member of 10 ^th Street Baptist Church where she sang in the choir and attended services regularly.  In the 1980's she became a member of  Victory World Outreach Church (VWOC.)  She was part of the singles ministry as well as the prayer ministry that conducted weekly prayer tours of the White House, National Mall, and other important and prestigious locations. She participated in weekly bible studies and was an engaged and faithful member until the fall of 1997 when VWOC stopped its Sunday services. Endeavoring to maintain her strong faith in God, in December 1997 she joined Jericho City of Praise (which was later renamed City of Praise Family Ministry under Bishop Joel Peebles).She attended and graduated from their Bible college in 2002 and was an avid and faithful member being most recently active in the noonday prayer ministry.

Throughout her life, the core essence of who Leni was stemmed from her relationship with Jesus Christ.  She went out of her way to ensure, those she came into contact with knew about Jesus Christ and had the opportunity to go to heaven.  If you were coming to repair something you were going to learn about Jesus Christ. She was not ashamed of her relationship and wanted all to experience the joy she had. From her house to her clothes, to the trinkets she bought, she advertised and proclaimed her faith everywhere she went.  So much so that she had custom tags made for her car that said "JT HEIR" (referring to being a Joint heir with Jesus from Romans 8:17).  She was a servant who enjoyed serving others.  Whether it was taking friends to doctors' appointments, taking meals to people, giving money as needed or- "just because," or taking things to her sister or friends, she was always helping.

Leni truly enjoyed traveling and visited places like France and Alaska to name a few but it was her desire to learn about and experience Jesus' life that led her to visit the Holy land twice which she said was one of her most wonderful experiences.  Among her Holy Land experiences were being baptized in the River Jordan, taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, staying at a hotel in the Mount of Olives, riding a camel in Egypt, and seeing the entrance to the tomb where Jesus was buried. She lived life to the fullest.

Next to God, her family was most important.  Aside from her favorite daughter, her favorite son-in law was Damon with whom she had many things in common including a love for God and a good cup of coffee to name just a few.  When it came time to buy gifts, she would always call to see what he liked and what she could get for him to make sure he got   the perfect gift.

Her grandsons were the highlight of her life and the apple(s) of her eye. When it came to them, nothing was off limits.  She called Jovan  her  favorite oldest grandson,    Isaac she affectionately nicknamed "Ike," and Damon she called "D-Anthony" They were all her favorite.  Nanu as she was affectionately known always had something for her grandsons, whether it was snacks from the trunk of her car – her own "meals on wheels, "cash "just because", birthday gifts, Christmas gifts, tuition money, rides to and from school, etc.  whatever they needed Nanu provided.  She was truly proud of them and the young men they had become.

On Tuesday October 25, 2022, Lionella peacefully transitioned to be with her Lord which was the ultimate desire of her heart.

She leaves behind to cherish her memory her daughter Karen and son in law Damon,  grandsons Jovan Charles, Isaac Christopher, and Damon Anthony.  Her sister Eva Chesley (James Sr.- deceased), brothers Alton, Guerdon, Cullen, and Langston Stuckey who all preceded her in death. Sisters-in-Law Georgia Houser (Mack – deceased and Eula Houser (William - deceased). She also leaves behind a host of nieces and nephews, family, and friends, especially her loving and devoted nephew Dr. James S Chesley, Jr. who was instrumental in her care.

The family wants to send a special thank you to Dr. Jose Mendoza and the team at Maryland Oncology Hematology, Frances and the rest of the 3 ^rd floor nursing staff at Doctor's Community Hospital, and Chesapeake Supportive Care.

We'd like to leave you with one final message you would hear if you called Leni and got her recording: "You have reached the Houser's where Jesus Christ is the Lord.  Make Him the Lord of your life and be blessed as you leave a message."

Friends may visit with the family Monday, November 21, 2022 from 10:00 am until time of service 11:00 am at Victory Christian Ministries International, 3911 St. Barnabas Road Hillcrest Heights, MD 20746. Interment to follow at Maryland Veterans Cemetery Cheltenham, MD.

The McClure Family is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting. Topic: Lionella Houser (McClure Family) Homegoing Celebration Time: Nov 21, 2022 11:00 AM Eastern Time (US and Canada) Join Zoom Meeting https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81997427711?pwd=UmRIaFhtZVp1dmQ4Tjk3ZXUwM3Uydz09 Meeting ID: 819 9742 7711 Passcode: Houser One tap mobile +13017158592,,81997427711#,,,,*204018# US (Washington DC) +19292056099,,81997427711#,,,,*204018# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 929 205 6099 US (New York) +1 305 224 1968 US +1 309 205 3325 US +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 931 3860 US +1 719 359 4580 US +1 253 205 0468 US +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 360 209 5623 US +1 386 347 5053 US +1 507 473 4847 US +1 564 217 2000 US +1 669 444 9171 US +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose) +1 689 278 1000 US Meeting ID: 819 9742 7711 Passcode: 204018 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/ktlPrVV8Z