Rachel A. Myers

Rachel A. Myers, 85, a long-time fixture in Arkansas education, died February 8, 2014 at her home near Orlando, Florida after a long bout with Alzheimer's Disease. Mrs. Myers was the widow of the Reverend Dr. Lloyd H. Myers, who was pastor of Little Rock's Rose of Sharon Baptist Church and then at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church in North Little Rock. She was a first grade teacher, principal of Ish and Forest Park Elementary Schools, administrator and, finally, assistant superintendent of Little Rock Public Schools, retiring in 1990 after 30 years with the district. Mrs. Myers also trained educators in Germany and Israel in innovative methodologies to engage parents and teachers in early childhood education. A graduate of Philander Smith College, where she met her husband, Mrs. Myers was at one time president of the college's national alumni association. She had also been president of the Little Rock Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, where she was a member since 1949. In 1965, Mrs. Myers earned a Master's Degree in elementary education administration from the University of Arkansas. Mrs. Myers is survived by her sons, Lloyd A. Myers (Jill) and John B. Myers (Jamie) of Atlanta, Ga.; daughters, Deborah Mathis (Joe Garcia) of Washington, D.C., and Sandra A. Hill (Anderson) of Windermere, Fla.; brothers, Robert Helm of Arkadelphia, Ark., and Carl Helm of Fresno, Calif.; a sister, Owilda Hill of Texarkana, Ark.; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; and a legion of nieces, nephews and friends. Funeral services for Mrs. Myers will be Saturday, February 15, 2014, 1 p.m., at Greater Shiloh Baptist Church, 217 N. Hazel Street, North Little Rock. Interment will be at the Forest Hills Cemetery, 10201 Highway 5 N in Little Rock. Family visitation: Friday, February 14, 2014, 7:30-8:30 p.m., at Ruffin & Jarrett Funeral Home, 1200 S. Chester St., LR (501) 372-1305. The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made in Rachel A. Myers' name to Philander Smith College.