Myra Jean James peaced out from her earthly life on the day after her 62nd birthday in 2023. She might have died on her birthday, April 15th, but that would have placed even more emphasis on National Tax Day. You, the reader, are only learning about this now because she didn’t like a lot of attention.

Born in El Reno, Oklahoma in 1961, Myra was the third daughter of Harold Eugene Smith and Della Lorene Smith (Kirkegard). She lived for 18 years in Minco, Oklahoma. There she engaged in half-court basketball, twirled batons, and played clarinet. She graduated from Minco High School in 1979.

Myra married in 1982. She moved with her husband to Arkansas where they helped single mothers in need. Near Little Rock, Myra birthed and began raising two male humans.

Myra moved several more times, residing near Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and Omaha, Nebraska. She settled in Morrison, Oklahoma in the late 1990’s where she served on the school board and helped care for farm animals. She remained in Morrison until 2010 when she moved to Stillwater, Oklahoma.

Myra worked in banking but spent most of her adult life caring for her family. Her latest job with Hobby Lobby’s corporate office took her to Yukon, Oklahoma. She was very grateful for Hobby Lobby’s support during her final years.

Myra was a light-hearted jokester with a hint of rebellion. She worked to help the people closest to her restore and maintain healthy relationships. She would have said one of the greatest lessons she learned in life is that one should stand up for one’s self when being mistreated.

Myra was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma in 2020 and fought the cancer diligently. Bible verses were kept in her phone for encouragement while she maintained hope that God would heal her body. Before being admitted into Hospice care, she stated that she was looking forward to attending church again. Myra succumbed to the disease after many various treatments had depleted her vitality. Her final lucid words were “I love you all,” and it was a true statement. She took her final breaths while holding the hands of her two sons and listening to her favorite hymn, “Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

Some of Myra’s cremated remains are at the gravesite of her father, Harold, in Minco, Oklahoma. Her mother and siblings (Lorna, Karlese, and Koby) survive. Myra’s ex-mother-in-law, Francie James, maintained a friendship with her and continues to thrive in Ponca City. Her youngest son, Craig, is a pharmacist in Yukon, Oklahoma. Myra’s eldest son, Christopher, and his wife, Kyla, reside in Ponca City with Myra’s two grandchildren, Gabriel and Rosalee.

Myra’s family asks that photos of her and stories about her be emailed to ThinkofMyra@gmail.com.

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