Mrs. Myrna Smith

Born Myrna Leone Paul in Detroit on Oct. 9, 1933, she lived with a reverence for God. It seems fitting that He called her home on a Sunday morning, Jan. 15, 2023. She followed her family’s Baptist traditions as a child in Knoxville, Tennessee. She moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to attend college. There, she met and later married Elbert E. McCullin, and they had five children. Myrna completed her studies after her children were born while living in Laurel, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in communications, at the University of Maryland. Myrna inherited culinary talent and creativity from her mother, Harriet Paul. They shared a passion for food that was both beautiful and exciting to the palate. Myrna baked bread masterfully—much to her children’s delight—and was equally celebrated for the recipes she invented. Gatherings at her table were special occasions—times for lavishing affection on her family and an ever-growing circle of friends. After earning her degree, Myrna taught writing classes through Graduate School USA, which offers professional development and training courses for the federal government and the private sector. She is the author of “Which Word?,” an at-a-glance reference for improving word usage. She ultimately found a life community and lasting friendships within congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Virginia, Georgia and, more recently, Seneca, South Carolina. In her Georgia congregation, she met and married Thomas Smith. They settled in Seneca and were married for 12 years. She is survived by her devoted husband and her five children: Michael McCullin (Ranae) of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Karen Sullivan of Charlotte, North Carolina; David McCullin of Hyattsville, Maryland; Gerald McCullin (Kelemwork) of Fairfax, Virginia; and Cynthia Moreland (Ira) of Atlanta, Georgia. Her grandchildren include Alexandra Isaac (Donald); Aliyah, Saliym, Khalil, and Senna Minor; Madison and Samantha Moreland; Jason and Samra McCullin; Kimberly and Rodrigo McCullin; Kamila and Ahmad Payne; and Kyle Sullivan. Her great grandchildren include Ari and Rhea Isaac, Sensi-Luna Minor and Soul-Saint James Copeland, and Kariyyah Payne.

Mrs. Myrna Smith

October 9, 1933 - January 15, 2023