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Submitted: 12/11/17 • Approved: 12/11/17 • Last Updated: 12/14/17 • R1205003-G1205002-S3
May 12, 1914 - December 13, 2014
Myrtle Elizabeth Larson, 100 of Gillham, Arkansas went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 13th at her home. Born May 12, 1914 to Herbert Marshall and Ethel Boren McMaster near Okolona, Arkansas.
Myrtle grew up in Okolona moving to Norphlet when she was 10 where her father worked in oil fields and mother owned a café, bakery and boarding house. She graduated at the top of her class at Norphlet in 1932 and was an outstanding athlete playing basketball and baseball. The Rotary Club of El Dorado gave her a loan of $300 for college and she attended Henderson State College for two years, where she excelled in classes and on the basketball court. Returning to Norphlet, she taught 5th grade and coached basketball. She married Willie Lee Larson on September 18, 1935 and celebrated their 60th anniversary. When she married she could no longer teach because of the depression and only one earner in a family. Using her teaching skills she continued by doing Bible Study courses at First Baptist Church and Liberty Baptist Association Churches. Working with youth was a passion and a group of 25 young men, known as RA’S, met at her home each week for food, fun and fellowship, as the war started the fellows went overseas to fight for our country all returned but one. She was active in school affairs for her sons and often substituted for teachers.
Willie lost his job in 1958 so at age 44, she returned to Henderson to gain her degree to return to teaching. She taught at Parkers Chapel, Norphlet and Gillham schools. Myrtle and Willie moved to the farm near Gillham in 1970 and became a team to turn their farm into a show place by clearing land, building ponds, raising cattle, always with a large garden that was shared with all the community. She loved her church, First Baptist Church, Gillham and her Sunday School class which she taught until she was 92. Young people were always her passion and she encouraged and helped many kids to excel in studies and life. She had a wonderful long life and often said, “I would love to live it all over again”! She loved her family, her church family and most of all her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Proceeded in death by her parents, husband, infant daughter, Judith, step-mother, Iva Williams McMaster, brother, Herbert Que McMaster, and his wife, Elizabeth, and her beloved pet, Honey.
A celebration of her life will be held at First Baptist Church in Gillham on Wednesday, December 17, 2014 at 2:00 P.M. Individuals will be able to share memories. Burial will follow at Valley Cemetery on the hill overlooking their farm.
Photo courtesy of Hilda Ochoa
Contributed on 12/11/17 by MryAl8
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Record #: 1205003