Sunrise January 18, 1930
Sunset – June 26, 2022
Myrnae Marie Cooley was born on January 18, 1930, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Mattie (Brown) and Dalton Cooley. She was the younger of two children. Myrnae and her beloved sister, Gloria (Cooley) Patterson, were born 14 months apart and were raised almost like twins. Myrnae and Gloria were the closest of close sisters and their pet name for each other was a simple ‘Sister’. They loved each other beyond measure.
Myrnae attended Cole Elementary School and graduated from Sumner High School in 1947. She later attended West Virginia State for her freshman and sophomore years and graduated from Howard University in 1951 with a degree in home economics. She is an eternal ivy member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority.
Myrnae was a creative young woman who enjoyed cooking, knitting, drawing, dancing, and singing. Her mother, Mattie Cooley, insisted that Myrnae and Gloria learn to sew, although Myrnae initially resisted. Both sisters evolved into premiere seamstresses. Myrnae later pursued a career in fashion design but never realized her dream. Perhaps her crowning design achievement was to design and sew both her own and her daughter’s wedding gowns. Both gowns were magazine worthy!!
Myrnae ultimately earned a master’s degree in education at Webster University in the 1970’s while teaching in the St. Louis Public Schools for more than 35 years. Former students frequently approached her on the street to thank her for setting their life on the right course through education.
Myrnae was a faithful Catholic growing up in St. Anne Shrine Catholic Church and later at Blessed Sacrament and St. Elizabeth Mother of John the Baptist parishes where she was an active volunteer.
Myrnae married Samuel Miller on June 19, 1954 with ‘Sister’ serving as her maid of honor. Together, they had three children, Sterling, Kent and Beverly, two boys and one girl, just like ‘Sister’. Myrnae often marveled at herself as she would exclaim, ‘I had three babies under three!’ Myrnae and Sam were married 60 years until Sam passed away in 2014. They proved to be nurturing parents who raised faith-filled and caring children.
Myrnae and Sam’s home was filled with love, music, laughter and loads of energy. They supported their children in academics, sports, recitals, clubs, etc. Among their most rewarding achievements was their support for Kent’s budding music career as a jazz bassist. Myrnae and Sam bought Kent his first guitar at age 10. Today, Kent is an acclaimed recording artist. Sterling, Kent and Beverly are fortunate because they could count on their parents for their endless love and support.
Myrnae enjoyed an active social life including numerous friendships both lifelong and some brand-new. She enjoyed playing bridge, listening to music, hosting family dinners, celebrating the holidays and traveling to visit Sister. She was a member of several clubs including the Carats and later, Just 10. Myrnae’s quick, dry wit never failed to leave folks in stitches. She had many oft-repeated sayings, a favorite being ‘some folks don’t know fat meat is greasy’! She could connect with anyone whether she just met you or you were a life-long friend.
Perhaps Myrnae’s most endearing moniker is that of caregiver. She embraced this role out of a profound sense of charity and selflessness. Myrnae took care of her father and mother, her in-laws, her Aunt Nora and Uncle Mac, her children and her husband. Her caregiver role was a model particularly for Sterling and Kent who acted as primary caregivers to her in her final years.
Sadly, Sister passed away after a long illness and only 11 days after Myrnae’s death. Though shocked by her death so soon after Myrnae’s, family members are not surprised as these sisters could not be separated for very long either in life or apparently in death. We are comforted in knowing that they are standing side by side, hand in hand, in the light of the Holy Spirit.
Myrnae is survived by beloved family members and many friends including Sterling (Sharon), Kent (Phyllis), and Beverly (Ron), Nina (granddaughter), Erin (granddaughter), Samuel (grandson), Olivia (granddaughter), Chip Patterson (nephew), Errol Patterson (nephew), Myrnae Patterson Burns (niece and namesake), grand nieces and nephews, Valerie (cousin), Jay (cousin), Sunrise and Brookeville caretakers and a host of friends, neighbors and colleagues.
Myrnae, Mom, MaMa, Ti, Auntie
‘Well done good and faithful servant’
Matthew 25:21
