Myrta Armstead Deatherage

Myrta Armstead Deatherage, 89, of Biloxi died Friday, September 26, 2008 in Hattiesburg, MS. Myrta was born in Cheshire, CT, where she was Valedictorian of her high school and went on to earn an associates degree. When Myrta became an adult she took on the responsibility of caring for her disabled mother. She cared for her mother for over 40 years until her mother died in 1980. In 1942, Myrta married James Walsh. They were married for two years when he was killed in France during WWII. Myrta possessed an adventurous spirit, and traveled across the country, eventually ending up in Honolulu, Hawaii. She did some modeling, earned her pilot wings, and she studied dance with the major dance studios of the time. She arrived in Honolulu by ship in 1951, where soon after her arrival she opened her own dance studio in Waikiki, next to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel. On November 11, 1955, she married George Deatherage at the King Street Congregational Church in Honolulu, Hawaii. They eventually moved to Alaska, and settled in Seattle for retirement. After George died in 2002, she moved to Biloxi, MS to be near her son, Roy. Myrta was a bright, happy, optimistic person who always had a ready smile, and people were naturally attracted to her because of her positive disposition. She is survived by her son, Roy J. Deatherage of Gulfport. Mrs. Deatherage will be interred in the Makiki Cemetery in Honolulu, Hawaii. Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, 15th Street, Gulfport is in charge of arrangements.