Myrtle Alice Portis' Obituary
Myrtle was born on January 1, 1933 in Urbana, Illnois, the daughter of George Moreland and Dorothy Mae Franklin Moreland. Myrtle passed on Thursday, September 3, 2010 at St. Joseph's hospital at 1:05 am. Myrtle was preceded in death by her daughter Ila Jean Pettus. She is survived by her only grandchild Ralph F. Pettus and her devoted son-in-law Ralph R. Pettus. Her siblings are: Barbara J. Williamson (Bobbie), Springfield, Ohio, George Moreland Jr. , Urbana, Illinois, Florence L. Powell (William), Las Vegas, Nevada, and Virgil F. Moreland, Urbana, Ill., Judy Motley, Richardson, Texas, Jonathan Moreland, Urbana, Illinois, James Moreland, Urbana, Illinois and Jerry Moreland, Urbana, Illinois, a niece, Lisa Williams, Tuscon, Arizona, nephews Kenneth Polite, and Kevin Polite, both of Tuscon, Arizona, Michael Moreland, Phoenix, Arizona and a great niece, Chima Simone Benson, West Hollywood, California, and many cousins and friends. She had a very dear friend of long standing, Ethel Atkins (Li'Bit), Urbana, Illinois. Myrtle accepted Christ as a very early age and was baptized and was a member in good standing at the Eastside Baptist Church. Myrtle has always been involved in church, and her love of gospel music and playing the piano. She played for choirs here in Tacoma at Eastside Baptist Church and Morning Star Freewill Baptist Church until being called home to be at rest. Myrtle's early employment was for the Urbana School District, where she worked until moving to Tacoma. After being here for a short while she became employed by the Federal Government at McChord Air Force Base as a Budget Analyst, where she retired after over 30 years. Myrtkle's hobbies over time have been many and varied, an avid bowler for many years, she loved to fish, crochet and her last years have been filled with painting beautiful pictures of Mother Nature. I must mention her card playing group who met on a regular basis, enjoying the card games and friendship and good food. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday September 11, 2010 at Eastside Baptist Church at 11:00am. There will be a viewing from 9:00am -11:00am with the family present, starting at 10:00am.
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