PLANO, TEXAS — Myra Irwin Smartt went to be with her Lord on Dec. 22, 2017.

Myra had suffered some recent health problems, yet her passing was unexpected. Myra was born in Jackson on Sept. 2, 1938, to James “Ed” and Bess McGuffee Irwin. Myra grew up in Vicksburg and attended Carr Central High School. She served as the editor of the school newspaper and represented Carr Central at Girls State.

At the age of 14, she had her first date with the love of her life, Donald “Donnie” Smartt. Myra and Donnie have been together since that first date and were married Aug. 23, 1958.

In 1960, Myra graduated from Mississippi State College for Women while pregnant with her first child. (She loved to say he graduated from college twice!)

Myra loved literature and served as the head librarian for many years in the Warren County school system before leaving in 1974 to open Myra’s Bookstore in Vicksburg. The Vicksburg Evening Post featured her in a story as “Myra the Bookie.”

In 1980, Myra and Donnie moved to East Texas where she worked at Phillips Coal in Tyler and later, with Donnie, owned an employment agency in Longview.

After moving to Plano, Texas in 1985, she served as an administrative assistant to Robert and Myrna Schlegel and, thereafter, for her beloved sister, Jimmy Westcott. Myra was preceded in death by her parents and is survived by Donnie, her husband of 59 years; three sons, Mike (Stephanie) Smartt, Mitchell Smartt, and Mac Smartt; six grandsons, Sumpter (Crystal), Swayze Schafer (fiancé Mary Caroline Dillon), Jeb (Courtney) Grayson, Lakeland; and (thank goodness) a granddaughter, Savannah; and two great-grandchildren, Harper and Elliott Smartt. Myra is also survived by her sister, Jimmy Westcott; nephews, Court and Chart Westcott; as well as her caring brother-in-law of many years, Carl Westcott.

Myra was an active member of the First Baptist Church of Plano, Texas, where her memorial service will be Jan. 3, 2018, at 2 p.m.

Myra requested any memorial donations be made to Texas Baptist Men Disaster Relief, 5351 Catron Drive, Dallas, Texas 75227.