Myra Jean Fisher
“Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matt 11:28 On March 9 Myra Jean Fisher completed her journey home surrounded by her loving family. Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, March 13, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home. Funeral service will be Thursday, March 14, at 2 p.m. at Northcrest Church of Christ with Robin Wright officiating. Interment will follow at the Mexia City Cemetery.
Maurice Ella McLaughlin was born on July 6, 1943, in Danforth, Maine. Along with her younger brother, Charles, she was adopted in 1949 by Joe and Emma Avila, at which time her name was changed to Myra Jean. The family moved and traveled extensively with the U.S. Army, including living in Okinawa, Japan, before eventually settling on the farm in Mexia. She graduated Mexia High School in 1961, where she was voted “Most Beautiful.” After graduating from Truman’s School of Beauty, she joined her mother, Emma, in the family business, Forget Me Not Beauty Shop. In 1968, she met and married the love of her life, Harold Van Fisher, and joined him in their business as original owners of The Snack Shack. Together they raised their three girls, Shawna, Sherrie, and Sheila. She was involved in many school and civic activities over the years including Women’s Junior Friday Club, Mexia PTA, Bluebonnet Girl Scout Council and numerous Girl Scout troops. She loved to bowl and was very competitive in several leagues in the 1960’s, as well as being a member of the Women’s International Bowling Congress, Inc.
Faith and family were her top priorities. She was instrumental in starting the bus ministry and Children’s Bible Hour program at RossAvenue Church of Christ, touching the lives of many children and families in the area. She loved planning elaborate Vacation Bible School sessions every year, bringing Bible stories to life for those in attendance. One of her favorite activities every year was the Haunted Spook House allowing her to scare the teenagers and adults alike. She was creative by nature and loved to make things, usually teaching herself various craft techniques. Sewing, painting, woodworking, cake decorating, flower arranging, scrapbooking, cardmaking, wedding planning were just a few of her talents. She managed to turn most of these into successful home businesses over the years. She was especially proud to have made hand-beaded wedding dresses, wedding cakes and floral bouquets for her girls. In the 1980s, she opened Something Special by Myra Florist and Gifts, which became a family business even for her then young grandchildren. From Homecoming mums to weddings, everyone was put to work!
She and Harold enjoyed watching and supporting their kids, grandkids, and great grandkids in all of their endeavors from sports and cheerleading to 4H and Ag, no matter how far away they had to travel. She was bossy, feisty, competitive, opinionated, and outspoken, all while being loving, kind, devoted, hardworking, and dedicated. After Harold passed away in 2015, her health declined, and she slowed down. However, she continued with her cardmaking, to the delight of family and friends. Every birthday was extra special with a card created especially for them by MF Designs.
Along with Harold, she was preceded in death by parents, siblings, other family members and friends.
Left to cherish her legacy and many memories are her children: Shawna and Jimmie Sterling, Sherrie and Bobby Bailey, Sheila Buchanan and Todd Knudson. Grandchildren: Coby and Robyn Sterling, Shannon Sterling, Matt and Katherine Sterling, Ashton Bailey, and Alec Bailey and fiancée, Sarah Wilson. Great-grandchildren: Bryce Sterling, Payton and Joseph Morgan, Boyd Sterling, Brody Sterling, John Sterling and Van Sterling. Siblings: Charles and Lisa Avila, Gloria Acker, Marie and Rene Benitez, Marilyn Heirs, Wylie and Kathy Vincent, and Paula and Bob Rivenburg. Bonus Daughter Jana and Randy Chatham and special nephew, Kip and Terri Hall and many other nephews, nieces, cousins, and friends.
Pallbearers are Coby Sterling, Matt Sterling, Alec Bailey, Bryce Sterling, Boyd Sterling, Brody Sterling, Steven Avila and Kip Hall. Honorary pallbearers are Shannon Sterling, Ashton Bailey, Robyn Sterling, Katherine Sterling, Sarah Wilson, John Sterling, Van Sterling, Payton and Joseph Morgan.
The family would like to acknowledge with grateful appreciation the excellent care and guidance received from the Accent Care Hospice team, Sindra, Charlene, Julie, Misty, Tammie, Kennedy, and Jamie.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Northcrest Church of Christ Youth Fund, P. O. Box 283, Mexia, TX 76667.
Please visit www.blairstubbs. com to leave the family a message of condolence or sign the guestbook.
