IN MEMORY AND CELEBRATION
OF MYRNA ADAMS
HOMEGOING CELEBRATION - JUNE 14, 2014
Sunrise: June 13, 1941 Sunset: November 23, 2013
ORDER OF SERVICE
Prelude……………………………………………..…………………..Soft Music
Prayer…………………………………………………………………Toni Brown
Poem Reading…………………………………………..……......Pam Doughty
Scripture Reading
Ecclesiastes 3: 1-4………………....…………………….......Cassandra Moss
Memories of Myrna - Slide Show Presentation
Obituary……………………………………………....….Dr. Jacqueline Sawyer
Expressions of Love……………………….............Two Minutes Each Please
Family Tribute…………………………………..…………........Family Members
Acknowledgments………………………………………….........Lorenzo Chase
Fellowship of Family & Friends with Refreshments
If you wish to leave a card, story, or favorite phrase of Myrna, please do on the cards provided at your table and place in the Memory bowl by the Memorial Table.
Thank you so much for your attendance at todays’ services.
We love you all!
Myrna L. Adams, affectionately known as Myrna, was one of two children born to the late Blanche Ross and William Fisher. Myrna entered this life on June 13, 1941. Her parents preceded her in death during the 1970’s. As we celebrate her life today, please know she remains a vivid memory and life-long friend and family, to all who knew and loved her.
As a young child, Myrna and older sister Joyce, were active members of the community, as their parents were very social members (formerly of St. Nicholas Avenue, Harlem, New York) participating in many swank dances, cocktails parties and elite social lunches. Blanche Ross Fisher was a member of the Dizzy Dames, known for their charitable style shows, musicales, cocktail sips and charitable benefits to the Community. Most notably, a benefit hosted at the Mimo Club.
Myrna followed in her parents footsteps and while a young woman became involved with fashion shows, dance recitals, and talent events. While growing up she held numerous parties and events in Jamaica, New York where she was extremely popular.
Before graduating from Andrew Jackson High School in 1959, she had a world wind courtship with Vincent Willoughby of Brooklyn, New York. They married and had one child, Michelle Denise. Being a young mother Myrna, ambitious and articulate embarked on a career with the Telephone Company in New York. Later, she then evolved to a career at Hornblower & Weeks as a stock trader analyst. Her impeccable record as an organizer and take charge attitude landed her a position at Elmhurst Hospital as a Billing Coordination Supervisor, which she held until 1999. She later shared her experience with ProHealth in Lake Success, New York where she retired in 2009.
While Michelle was in college, Myrna joined Janes United Methodist Church in 1978 after having had an association with the church through her in-laws, Lorraine and Roland Willoughby, members since 1955. With the reorganization of the United Methodist Women in 1979, Myrna was elected President and served a two-year term. She was an active member until 1982.
When she separated with Vincent, she courted with and eventually married Alton Adams, where they remained united for many years in Queens, N.Y. Myrna’s aura was vibrant, upbeat and never complacent; accepting of a theory that what you see is what you get. She was driven by a desire to forge forward and followed a path in life fueled by deep passion by what she thought to be correct.
She gloried in life and all its lessons. Armed with a charming smile and a quick wit, she was sure to tell you the truth, whether you were ready to hear it or not.
As a friend said, “she has a language all her own” often renaming common food items to a grander style or commenting on a situation. When her health started to deteriorate in 2007, she relocated to East Stroudsburg, PA to live with her daughter Michelle and beloved son-in-law Lorenzo.
She will be missed by many dear friends, her loving Sister Joyce, nieces Marsha, Yvonne, Debra, Norman & Lynn and nephews, Tracey and Neville, her cats, Max and Samantha, and loving dogs. Max, Zack and Missy, Additionally, to a host of other family members who knew her as "Aunt Myrna", “Hot Mess”, to Lorenzo “Mom” and Michelle “Mommy”.