Elma Myers

Elma Rease Myers, 90, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Wednesday, Jan 18, 2023 at Bonaventure Assisted Living Facility in Colorado Springs, CO. Known as “Jean” to family and friends, she grew up in a hard scrabble area of Mississippi during the depths of the depression. Born to a 15-year-old mother, she had a rough childhood and was soon given away to a family that ran various money-making schemes like pinball, slots, selling whiskey (in a dry state) and running their juke joint and family carnival. She was always working, counting coins, and letting the family know when the police were around. At age 23, Jean gathered up the courage to leave Mississippi and her surrogate family and joined the U.S. Air Force. She entered training to become a Flight Attendant on military transport aircraft and went from the sleepy South to traveling around the world to most of the countries in Europe and getting paid to do it. It’s also where she met her husband, John, and felt loved for the first time in her life. After getting out of the service she supported John’s career in the U.S Air Force (Flight Meteorologist) and became a homemaker living in North Carolina, Germany, and Florida (including Tampa and a 50+ year residence in Brandon, Florida). In Brandon, Jean retired after 13 years as a teacher’s aide working with students with disabilities. Jean enjoyed raising her two children: daughter Kimberly High (Doug) of Colorado Springs and son Jeffrey Myers now of Melbourne, FL. She ensured her kids got to do the things she never had the opportunity to do when she was growing up like participating in Scouts, little league, and going to church and Sunday School. She cherished the time with her three grandchildren: Patrick Myers, Hilary High, and Felix High. After her husband’s death in 1997, she spent more time traveling, visiting kids, and even took a once in a lifetime trip to China. She stayed active and healthy by taking immaculate care of her house, learning to line dance, and practicing Tai Chi. In 2019, Jean moved closer to her daughter in Colorado where she became an active member of the Bonaventure Community until her passing. Her family is extremely grateful to the many caregivers at Bonaventure and Optimal Hospice for providing end-of-life care.

Jean was preceded in death by her biological parents, Avery Wilson and Mable (Doster) Wilson; her husband John Myers; and her half-sister Rebecca (Wilson) Jones.

Dignity Memorial is in charge of burial with a small family interment planned in Tampa, FL at the Garden of Memories-Myrtle Hill Cemetery next to her beloved John.