Myrtle Mckee Cutrer Tyrer

Myrtle McKee Cutrer Tyrer, 88, of Jonesboro, died Monday at Craighead County Nursing Center.

Born in Memphis, Myrtle lived all of her life there before moving to Jonesboro in 1997. She was a long-time member of Second Presbyterian Church in Memphis where she was a member of the church choir. She was preceded in death by her first husband, U.S. Marine Homer LeRoy Cutrer who was killed in action on Iwo Jima in 1945. In addition to her first husband, she was also preceded in death by a brother, Edward McKee and a sister, Dorothy Sullivan.

Myrtle wed in 1940 and was widowed in 1945. She worked in civil service from 1944-1951 when she married Dr. A. Roy Tyrer, a Memphis neurosurgeon. Throughout her life, Myrtle enjoyed music, socializing, horseback riding, water sports, reading and bridge. She attended college classes through the University of Tennessee and held certificates in interior design and marketing.

In 1958 Myrtle served as president of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons Auxiliary, and was past vice president of the Women’s Auxiliary to the Memphis and Shelby County Medical Association. She was a member of the Field and Garden Club of Memphis, served on the steering committee for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health, was voted Duchess of Memphis for 1970 and in 1971 was voted Queen of Memphi and one of the Ten Best-Dressed Ladies in the City of Memphis.

From 1960-1971, Myrtle was a volunteer for Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, serving as a Golden Girl and assisted in raising the most money ever raised through that era. In the 1950s, Myrtle was the founding president of the Stockettes, a ladies investment club which existed for almost 50 years. She was a patron of the Memphis Symphony and a member of the Symphony League and the Symphony Singers. Myrtle studied sculpture and painting at Memphis Brooks Art Academy and served as a Docent at Brooks and Dixon Art Gallery. She was a member of “Stage Set” for Memphis Little Theatre.

Survivors include 2 daughters and son-in-law: Barbara Cutrer Tyrer Tusing of Jonesboro, and Cheryl and Phil Benton of Hot Springs;

One son, Dr. Dean Tyrer of Jonesboro; one step son and his wife, Robson and Sharon Tyrer of Oakland, Californina;

Her husband from 1951-1975, Dr. A. Roy Tyrer, MD, of Memphis;

1 sister: Mary Edna Chamberlain of Hot Springs, and one brother and his wife: Samuel, Jr. and Nancy McKee of Memphis;

10 grandchildren and their spouses: Lisa and Mike Bowler, Derek and Margaret Lawrence, Matt and Lisa Tusing, Zeno and Sarah Tyrer, Brook Jacobsen, Justin and Kristy Hammons, John and Ashley Hammons, Rachel Tyrer, Sophia Tyrer and Tasha Tyrer.

11 great grandchildren and spouse: Shannon, Monica, Michelle and Scott, Ryan, Aidan, Aubrey, Lexi, Kayla, Hope, Chloe and Landon; and

2 great, great grandchildren: Peyton and Ava.

Funeral services will be held Thursday morning at 10:30 in Emerson Memorial Chapel with Dr. Bruce Tippit officiating. A committal service will be held Thursday afternoon at 2:00 in the National Cemetery in Memphis.

Visitation will be held Thursday morning from 9:30 until service time in Emerson Memorial Chapel.

For lasting memorials, the family asks that consideration be given to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, 50 N. Dunlap St., Memphis, TN 38103, or to the charity of the donor’s choice.