Myra Thompson Thibault Gannaway
Obituary Notice
Myra Thompson Thibault Gannaway passed away November 5, 2004. After attending Little Rock public schools and Junior College, she then went on to the University of Texas to complete her degree. Mrs. Gannaway spent most of her life in Little Rock. She taught school, was active in the Junior League and was one of the first volunteer guides at what is now the Historic Arkansas Museum.
When her children were older, she went to Harvard University in Cambridge Massachusetts, to get a doctorate, which she received with honors. She lived in the Boston area for about twenty-five years, working as a school psychologist, before returning to Little Rock upon retirement. During most of this time she lived in Rockport, Massachusetts, a coastal town just north of Boston. She loved the area and passed that love onto her children and grandchildren. She was always ready to go to the beach or library when they came to visit in the summer.
Mrs. Gannaway was the daughter of Myra Thompson Thibault and Carroll Thibault. Her maternal grandparents were Mary Lillian McGann and Charles Louis Thompson. Her paternal grandparents were Corinne Gibson Thibault and James Keatts Thibault. Mrs. Gannaway was the oldest surviving member of the Thompson family and second oldest of the Thibault family.
She is survived by her children: Woodson Thibault Gannaway and his wife Joy, of Dalian, China; and Carol Gannaway Eruren and her husband Guner of Little Rock. She has three grandchildren: Jon Refik Eruren and his wife Heather; Karen Erren Pirtle, and Layli Rose Gannaway. Her great-grandchildren are Briana Belkis Eruren, Paige Noelle Pirtle and Megan Elizabeth Pirtle.
Mrs. Gannaway spent many delightful hours with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was always ready to work puzzles, read, help with an art project, answer questions about birds and flowers, or how to play the bottom of "chopsticks" on the piano.
A graveside service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, November 12, 2004 at Roselawn Cemetery, Little Rock. Arrangements are being handled by Ruebel Funeral Home, www.ruebelfuneralhome.com.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to: Heifer Project International, Habitat for Humanity or the Rockport Library (17 School Street, Rockport, MA 01966, attn: Hope Coffman).
Register Book
- To the whole family - Mara and I were very sorry to hear of the passing of
Carol's mom, John and Karen's grandmother, and Brianna, Paige and Megan's
great-grandmother. We know she will be much missed by all of you and by all
family members. And we know that all of you were a joy to her.
Linda Bessette & Mara Leveritt
Little Rock, Arkansas
- Myra's friendship was a true treasure in MY life. I will miss her!
Addie DiIorio
Watertown, Massachusetts
Email: addiediiorio@hotmail.com
- Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy and Jim Gowen
Newport, Arkansas
- Na was a wonderful person, kind, generous and interested in everything. I
am very lucky to have had her as a mother-in-law. I will truly miss her.
Joy Gannaway
Teacher
Dalian, China
Email: jigannaway@yahoo.com
- Our condolences to you on the passing of your mother. What a full and
interesting life she led.
Kay Brewer Burton & Robert Epes Burton
Augusta & Mountain View, Arkansas
Email: burtonhats@earthlink.net
- Carol, I was so sorry to hear of your mother's death. I know how much you
will miss her.
Anne Wells
St Louis, Missouri
Email: annacwel@aol.com
- Myra was my father's first cousin. He always spoke of her with such
respect (not a small thing for a Thibault). I remember always enjoying the
time I spent with her and her family. They were one of the bright spots.
Myra was so gracious to all of us. My prayers go out to all her family. I
will be with you in spirit tomorrow.
Dorothy Thibault
Leesburg, Virginia
Email: dtlcsw@msn.com