At the time of her death, MYRNA LAI DORYZ DIXON CURTIS was the matriarch of the Mitt Lee Family that was rooted in Jackson, Mississippi. Myrna grew up in a family that was indeed a "village" of dedicated parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins who instilled faith in God, the importance of family, the necessity of education and the call to persevere against all obstacles. Those values were reinforced when Myrna was blessed to attend Piney Woods Country Life School a Christian boarding school, where she was introduced to the Lutheran faith from which she never departed. Piney Woods also cultivated an appreciation for practical life skills--such as cooking, sewing and farming-- for Black children who were not expected to do too much else in Myrna's day. And  while she used and excelled in those skills, God had a different plan for Myrna's life.

By earning a schoarlship and with the help and support of her family, Myrna Dixon, enrolled and graduated from Howard University in Washington DC. It was there that she met William Curtis, a fellow student, who became her husband for 48 years until his death in 1995. Myrna's marriage to Bill changed her life plan of returning to Mississippi to share the benefits of her education. (After one visit to rural Mississippi, Bill said this was not the life for him!) So Bill and Myrna settled in Baltimore, MD and raised three daughters; Freya Michelle, Nikki, Leuna and Lorna Karen.

While Bill was able to change Myrna's mind about returning to Mississippi, he was never able to change her mind about the Lutheran Church. And so Bill and Myrna were married at Mount Olivet Lutheran Church in Washington DC and later became members of St. Matthew Lutheran Church in Baltimore. St Matthew merged with Our Saviour in 1970 where Myrna remained an active member, serving as a dedicated Sunday School teacher for decades. As a wife and mother, Myrna proved to be an expert cook and seamstress; but she also continued her education and gained certification as an early childhood educator which proved to be her passion. By the time her children were in college, Myrna was a celebrated educator at a Christian day school until she retired.

Myrna lived faithfully by the values that were instilled in her and passed them on to each person whose life she touched, most especially her children, grandchildren, Erica, Zimbabwe, Shaka and Kai; great grandchildren, Mason, Gavin, Allegra and Kaleah; namely that faith in God is to be the centerpiece and driving force of our lives, that the village of family--our biological families, our extended families as well as our church families-- a critical foundation for every life and that despite all obstacles, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Myrna Curtis does not leave behind mourners but rather admirers who saw God's light and love through her. To God be the glory!

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