Myra Dianne Turner

Myra Dianne Turner was born on February 24, 1955 to the union of Charlie Obertus Turner and Martha Ruth (Whibbey) Turner in Denison, Texas. She peacefully departed this life and was welcomed in God’s loving arms on February 6, 2025 in Wichita, Kansas.

Myra grew up in Colbert, Oklahoma in a large, loving family as the second of six children. She loved reading and getting lost in the written word. She excelled in school, serving as class treasurer and graduating as the first African-American Salutatorian from Colbert High School in 1973. She attended Southeastern Oklahoma State and later the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) where she obtained a BA in Finance and Banking. The world was her oyster and she moved to Houston, Texas to work for Texas Commerce Bank in the International Banking Department and later at Pennzoil.

Myra was an adventurer and loved traveling, spreading her joyous spirit wherever she went. In addition, she had the opportunity to live in many places across the country including Houston, TX, Miami, FL, Fort Wayne, IN, and Delray Beach, FL and Wichita, KS.

It was in Wichita, on a blind date that she met Terry Burt who immediately swept her off her feet with his hilarious sense of humor and his glorious mustache. They were soon overjoyed to welcome twins Tara Burt and Terry Burt, Jr. Myra later moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana where they raised their children. Some of her happiest memories includes dying Easter eggs, carving Halloween pumpkins, and putting up Christmas decorations with her children. She was an amazing cook, making wonderful Holiday meals. She had an amazing eye for interior design, creating beautiful, welcoming spaces in her home.

While in Fort Wayne, IN she worked in Commodities Trading at OmniSource and Telecommunication Sales for Verizon. Myra excelled in her roles and won top sales trips to Hyannis Port, MA; Las Vegas, NV; Vail, CO; Lake Tahoe and San Francisco, CA.

Myra was a Christian who deeply loved the Lord and did not hesitate to share daily devotionals with her children, sisters and friends. She enjoyed her family and always had great times reminiscing at reunions and breakfast with her sisters. Myra was an inspiration. She understood the life-changing importance of education and mentored young people starting college. She continued her legacy of leadership and service later in life and co-founded “DIVAS” a Women’s Group to provide friendship and community for mature ladies transitioning through some of their toughest days. When God called her home, He welcomed her generous, loving spirit and declared “Well done, thy good and faithful servant.”

She leaves to cherish her memory her loving children, twins Tara Burt (Brooklyn, NY) and Terry Burt, Jr. (Fort Wayne, IN) and her stepdaughter Amanda Chambers-Burt (Brooklyn, NY). She is also survived by her beloved sisters Linda Gibson (Colbert, OK), Deborah T. Williams (Sherman, TX), Melanie T. Bryant (Wichita, KS), Karen Lilaf (Wichita, KS) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins and lifelong friends.

She is preceded in death by her father Charlie Obertus Turner, mother Martha Ruth (Turner) Pete, and brother Dudley Rene Turner.