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At 78, Jessie Lee Donathan Howard is not about to slow down.

A lifelong Guilford County resident, she still works 32 to 40 hours a week as a private-duty home-care nurse, often taking care of patients younger than she is. Her efforts have allowed hundreds of homebound seniors to receive needed services and remain independent.

"I strongly believe in independent living for seniors, and I understand their desire to stay in their homes," Howard said.

In recognition of her hard work and devotion to her field, Howard was recently named the 2008 Outstanding Older Worker for North Carolina by Experience Works, a national provider of training and employment services for older workers. The Experience Works Prime Time Awards Program is held annually in Washington to honor one outstanding older worker from each state, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

"I was shocked when I received the news," Howard said.

In addition to her nursing, she volunteered with the Red Cross for 20 years and provided thousands of meals to seniors not living within Meals on Wheels routes. A recipient of the prestigious Long Leaf Pine Award and Old North State Award, Howard also regularly takes leadership classes through the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce.

"In my work, I wanted to stay updated on local needs," she said. "I don't think you can ever get too much leadership ability."

In 1999, Howard was named Ms. Senior North Carolina. Her talent? She does a "mean" Minnie Pearl portrayal, which she has performed in churches since 1947.

"Mrs. Howard is a wonderful example of how seniors who stay active, both mentally and physically, can continue to make valuable contributions to the workplace and to their communities," said Cynthia Metzler, chief executive officer of Experience Works. Howard said that from as early as age 9 she had "an innate desire to help people, especially seniors."

"I've always admired senior citizens; they are the foundation of society," she said.

Howard graduated from UNCG with a business degree but felt an unrelenting desire to do something in health care.

"I worked every weekend and holiday to get my LPN degree," Howard said.

She went back to school and received her registered nurse degree in 1972. Howard has been a nurse since 1961, working in labor and delivery at Wesley Long Hospital for 15 years. An article she wrote about the stages of childbirth was published in Ethicon Magazine.

About 1990, she started private-duty nursing. A Greensboro resident, Howard is married to the Rev. Vann Howard. Asked if retirement looms in her future, she answers with a quick "no!"

"When I leave this world, I want this body to be all used up in service to others," Howard said. "I want to feel in some minor way I've done something to make this world a better place for people."

Contact Jennifer Atkins Brown at 574-5582 or jennifer. brown@news-record.com