Myrt McLaughlin

Born Rose Myrtle McLaughlin, her immediate family called her "Bobby," and everyone else who knew her called her "Myrt." And a lot of people knew her!

A graveside service will be held for Myrt McLaughlin, 97, at 11:00 a.m., Monday, October 14, 2024, at China Spring Cemetery, with the Rev. Dr. Burt Burleson presiding. Arrangements have been handled by Wilkirson-Hatch-Bailey Funeral Home.

Rose Myrtle McLaughlin was born on the family farm in Speegleville, Texas, August 8, 1927, to Lillie Chaffin McLaughlin and Cecil Blackburn McLaughlin. She was the younger sister of Mary Frances McLaughlin.

Myrt's father died unexpectedly when Myrt was three years old, leaving her mother and the two little girls to manage their cotton farm, which proved to be a difficult existence. To help, Myrt raised laying hens to sell eggs and raised and sold piglets. She attended Speegleville schools and graduated from Waco High in 1945.

After graduating from 4C Business College, Myrt worked at a variety of local business establishments until she started at General Tire & Rubber in April 1954. She then spent 32 years in the Order Traffic and Shipping Departments, billing for tire shipments across the United States and throughout the world. Myrt retired in 1986 only because General Tire closed the plant. She had countless friends and colleagues in every department at GT&R and knew the truck drivers by name and the routes they drove. She remained in touch with many of these people for years.

Myrt was a great neighbor. Community was very important to her. Though unassuming, Myrt was self-reliant and hard-working. She bought her first home in 1960 as a single woman, which was quite rare.

Very active in her Brookview Neighborhood Association, she often mowed the vacant lots and yards of elderly "shut-ins" in the area and regularly tended to Brookview Park as she sought to keep her neighborhood neat and cared for. Well into her 90s, Myrt could be seen on her riding mower taking care of her neighbors. Several times the Neighborhood Association attempted to name her "Neighbor of the Year," but Myrt always declined. Finally, they simply surprised her with the honor.

While caring for her mother, who lived to be 100 years old, Myrt always made time to deliver for Meals On Wheels and participated in many of the programs offered at the Harrison Senior Center. She also gave her time and talents to the Animal Birth Control (ABC) Clinic for years.

Even when she was unable to get out due to health challenges, she would work on projects for ABC at home.

Myrt was preceded in death by her parents; and her sister, Frances Olson and husband Lyndon Olson, Sr.

She is survived by two nephews, Lyndon Olson, Jr. and wife Kay; Charles Olson and wife Kris; great nieces, Beth Olson and children, Claire Drew and Fuller Drew; and Anne Olson, all of Waco. She is also survived by a group of loving, dedicated lifelong friends.

Myrt asked that any memorials be directed to the Animal Birth Control Clinic (animalbirthcontrol.org} or to Scottish Rite Hospital for Children in Dallas (scottishriteforchildren.org}.

The family would like to thank Right At Home for their care of Myrt, especially Collene, Alice, Jessica, and Brenda.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory of Myrt on her “Tribute Wall’ at www.WHBfamily.com