Oct. 15, 1918 - Oct. 26, 2008

Myrtle was born Oct. 15, 1918, in Chilhowie, Va., to Thomas "Coke" McAllister and Elizabeth Jane Jones. She passed away at the Corvallis Manor on Oct. 26. Myrtle was the youngest of nine children and the last one living. She was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, four sisters, son-in-law Dwight Vance and husband, Ron. She is survived by her daughter, Janet Vance of Corvallis.

Myrtle graduated from Chilhowie High School. She met Ronda David Eller and they were married Sept. 22, 1939. They moved to Maryland where Ron worked on various farms and Myrtle was a housewife. Their only child, Janet, was born Aug. 13, 1940. In 1951, they left the farm and Ron went to work at the U. S. Army's Aberdeen Proving Grounds as a maintenance worker. Myrtle began her 17-year career at Beta Shoe Company in Belcamp, Md. After her retirement, she became interested in photography and took a home study course in photography. She enjoyed taking the portraits of her family and friends and coloring them by hand. Her other great love was teaching Sunday School for the women who attended Oak Grove Baptist Church in Bel Air, Md. She did this for more than 20 years.

In 1974, Ron and Myrtle moved to Corvallis to be close to their daughter and son-in-law. They enjoyed the trips they took in their Airstream trailers and Winnebego motor home. They were members of Northwest Hills Community Church in Corvallis and Myrtle was very active in coordinating their prayer chain. After Ron's death in 2000, she was able to stay in her home until her health required her to move to an assisted living facility and finally to the Corvallis Manor nursing home. The family would like to thank the nursing staff, the aides and administrative staff of Corvallis Manor for their love and care of Myrtle.

A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 30, at Northwest Hills Community Church, 3300 N.W. Walnut Blvd. Remembrances can be directed to Northwest Hills Community Church or the Arthritis Foundation in care of McHenry Funeral Home, 206 N.W. Fifth St., Corvallis, OR 97330. There will be a reception at the church after the service. Myrtle was entombed beside Ron at Twin Oaks Memorial Garden Mausoleum earlier this week. Online condolences can be sent to Janet via www.mchenry

funeralhome.com.