Myrtle A. Black

Funeral services for Myrtle Black will be held 11:00 am Saturday, July 12, 2008 in the Sanctuary of the First Baptist Church in Cleveland with Dr. Larry Wilson officiating. Burial will conclude in the Highland Cemetery in Okemah, Oklahoma at 3:00 pm under the direction of Chapman-Black Funeral Home, Inc. In lieu of flowers the family suggests contributions in Mrs. Black's memory to the Cleveland Area Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Beautification Project, P. O. Box 270. Cleveland, Oklahoma 74020.

Myrtle Alethea Black was born March 2, 1922 at Pleasant Hill, South Carolina on the family farm. She was the daughter of Stephen and Ernestine (Baxley) Owens. Myrtle received her education at Pleasant Hill schools. After the completion of her education, Myrtle moved to Charleston, South Carolina in the early 1940's. Myrtle soon met the love of her life William Emanuel Black, Jr. who was stationed with the U.S. Army Air Corps in Charleston. Myrtle made the journey to Tacoma, Washington where she was united in marriage to Bill Black on January 18, 1946. They moved to many locations due to the fact Bill was in the military and some of them include Connecticut, Texas, Nebraska, England and Wichita, Kansas. After the retirement of Bill from the United States Air Force, they moved to Oklahoma and established their home in Cushing. In 1966, they moved to Fayetteville, Arkansas and later to Cleveland, Oklahoma in 1973. Mrs. Black continued to reside in Cleveland until the last two years. Myrtle had been currently residing near her daughter Cheryl.

Myrtle was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Dorcas Sunday school class. Mrs. Black is the past president of the Philomathic Club and former member of the General Federation of Women's Club (GFWC). Myrtle was instrumental in the fund raising efforts to reopen the Cleveland Swimming Pool in the early 1980's and was also active in the preparation of the Pioneer Days in Cleveland and headed many dinners that were prepared for funerals and other lunches in the community. Additionally, Myrtle served as a volunteer at the Cleveland Manor Nursing Home, assisting in the care of the patients. She enjoyed shopping, traveling, taking cruises, returning home to South Carolina and visiting with her family and friends.

Mrs. Black went to be with her Lord and Savior Tuesday, July 8, 2008 at the age of 86 in Tulsa, Oklahoma at the Aberdeen Heights Assisted Living. She was preceded in death by mother Ernestine Owens (Baxley); father Stephen A. Owens; two husbands William Black, Wesley Mitchell, four brothers, Carl E., Fred C., Woodard G., Lamar Owens as well as one sister Ruby L. Chinnes.

Survivors are her four daughters Gail Mitchell of Missouri, Cheryl Acklin and husband Charles of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Teresa Tipton of Houston, Texas, Brenda Hill and husband Skip of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; one brother Thomas E. Owens and wife Marilyn of Pleasant Hill, South Carolina, two sisters Kathleen Patrick of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, Julia G. DiFede and husband Frank C. of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, two sister in laws Nita Owens of Holly Hill, South Carolina, Iva Owens of Johnsonville, South Carolina; seven grandchildren, Keith, Jason, Tasya, Shane, Blake, Angela, Valerie; one great-grandson Noah and many nieces and nephews.