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, 2024, Myra Jean Fisher completed her journey home surrounded by her loving family.   Visitation with the family will be Wednesday, March 13, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Blair-Stubbs Funeral Home in Mexia, TX.  Funeral service will be Thursday, March 14, 2024 at 2:00 pm at Northcrest Church of Christ in Mexia 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 & Emma Avila, at which time her name was changed to Myra Jean.  The family moved & traveled extensively with the U S Army, including living in Okinawa, Japan, before eventually settling on the farm in Mexia, TX.  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, & 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 & family were her top priorities.  She was instrumental in starting the bus ministry and Children’s Bible Hour program at Ross Avenue Church of Christ, touching the lives of many children and families in the area.  She loved planning elaborate VBS 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 & Gifts, which became a family business even for her then young grandchildren.   From Homecoming mums to weddings, everyone was put to work!

 She & Harold enjoyed watching and supporting their kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids in all of their endeavors from sports & cheerleading to 4H & 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 & Jimmie Sterling, Sherrie & Bobby Bailey, Sheila Buchanan & Todd Knudson.  Grandchildren:  Coby & Robyn Sterling, Shannon Sterling, Matt & Katherine Sterling, Ashton Bailey, and Alec Bailey & fiancée, Sarah Wilson.  Great-grandchildren:  Bryce Sterling, Payton & Joseph Morgan, Boyd Sterling, Brody Sterling, John Sterling & Van Sterling.  Siblings:   Charles & Lisa Avila, Gloria Acker, Marie & Rene Benitez, Marilyn Heirs, Wylie & Kathy Vincent, and Paula & Bob Rivenburg.  Bonus Daughter Jana & Randy Chatham and special nephew, Kip & 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 & 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.