Myrna Latham Erwin

Myrna Latham Erwin, 103, of Winter Park, Florida, passed away Monday, February 28, 2022. She was preceded in death by her husband Rev. Donald Leith Erwin, Sr. and her brother, James M. Latham, Jr. (Lois Johnson Latham). She is survived by her son Donald L. Erwin, Jr. (Sherri Porter Erwin), grandchildren Rebekah Lynn Erwin and Andrew Scott Erwin, and beloved nieces and nephews.

Myrna Latham Erwin was born October 3, 1918, in Hillsboro, Texas to James Maston Latham and Katie Ellen Payne Latham. Myrna attended Franklin Elementary School, Hillsboro Junior High School, Hillsboro High School, Hillsboro Jr. College, and graduated in 1942 from the Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE) (now part of Union Presbyterian Theological Seminary), Richmond, Virginia.

After graduation from PSCE, Myrna became Interim Director of Christian Education for the Synod of Oklahoma, Presbyterian Church US (PCUS) until her marriage in September 1942.

On September 5, 1942, Myrna was married to the Rev. Donald Leith Erwin of Ronceverte, West Virginia, in the First Presbyterian Church of Hillsboro, Texas. The two met as students in Richmond, Virginia where Don attended Union Theological Seminary and Myrna attended the Assembly’s Training School (later renamed Presbyterian School of Christian Education (PSCE).

Don had become the Assistant Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Jacksonville, Florida following his seminary graduation. Following their marriage, Myrna became the Director of the Younger Girls program at the Jacksonville, Florida YMCA. She organized the Y-Teen Clubs in five high schools and two junior high schools in the Jacksonville area while she was the Younger Girls Secretary. She also taught Bible at Lee High School, where this position was sponsored and financed by Church Women United.

Following Jacksonville, Florida, Don Erwin was minister at the Northminster Presbyterian Church, Roanoke, Virginia; the Sweetwater Presbyterian Church, Sweetwater, Texas; the Regional Director of Christian Education for the PCUS Synod of Georgia with headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia; the First Presbyterian Church, Princeton, West Virginia; and Palma Ceia Presbyterian Church, Tampa, Florida. Following retirement in 1980, Don extended his ministry by being an interim minister at several churches in the Tampa area: Keystone, Village, Temple Terrace, and Forest Hills; and finally at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church, Winter Park, Florida. Upon retirement, Don Sr. and Myrna spent half of each year at their cottage at Montreat, NC.

Upon Don Sr.’s death, Myrna continued to live in Winter Park, Florida where they had moved in 1984. During that time, in her late 70s, Myrna was asked to help sort through resource materials at the church library/media center for clean-up and disposal. That effort turned into a 20+ year library/media center renovation project for a very dedicated group of seniors and others with a love for Christian Education and the church. At 80, Myrna learned about computers so she could lead the implementation of a computerized library management system. The library is now renewed into a useful resource for the church and weekday school. Since 2019, Myrna continued to serve and do the Lord’s work while living at Westminster Winter Park Retirement Community.

Myrna will be buried beside her husband, Don Sr. in the McLean Chapel Cemetery adjoining the Erwin Family farm near Ronceverte, West Virginia.

A memorial service will be held at the Winter Park Presbyterian Church on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at 2:00 PM. A graveside service with interment will be held in Ronceverte, West Virginia.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Winter Park Presbyterian Church for the purchase of children’s books and other books for the church library, 400 South Lakemont Ave., Winter Park, Florida 32792.