Myrtle Beasley

MYRTLE HARRIETT O’NEAL OSBORNE BEASLEY was born October 1, 1933, to Willie C. Sr. and Floretta Scoby O’Neal in Houston, Texas. She was the fifth child of nine children: five brothers, Willie, Perry, Jacob, Leo, and Louis, and three sisters, Annette, Anna Rose, and Mary. Myrtle was raised in Houston, Texas, and was educated in the Houston Public School System. She had a passion for learning, as a result she graduated salutatorian of her class from Jack Yates High School.

Myrtle was the first of the O’Neal children to attend college. She studied nursing at Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama for two years and completed her nursing program at the New England Sanitarium in Massachusetts. Upon completing her education, she returned home to Houston to pursue her professional career.  Myrtle met and married the late Charles Ray Osborne, Jr. They were blessed when their only child, Charles III, was born. Myrtle raised her son to love God and serve Him. She later married Jimmie Neal Beasley who preceded her in death.

Myrtle was introduced to Jesus in her youth. Her aunts took her and her siblings to the Houston Berean Seventh-Day Adventist Church where they fellowshipped. Myrtle became a baptized member and served in many offices over the years. Because of her love for Jesus and her passion to share the good news of salvation, she was diligent and intentional in her commitment to the gospel commission. She was a Sabbath school superintendent and she taught teen and adult classes. She was also a Pathfinder counselor, and a member of the Prison Ministry and Community Service teams. Myrtle was also the first woman to serve on the Southwest Region Conference Executive Committee for six years. She was saved to serve!

Myrtle began her nursing career working for Dr. Michael Banfield. She was his nurse and office manager for 40 years until he retired. While employed by Dr. Banfield, Myrtle recognized that drug abuse was a major problem in the community. She wanted to help her community change the culture. She studied and became a certified drug abuse counselor and volunteered in this capacity until she retired from nursing. She worked as a drug abuse counselor for 10 years when she retired for the last time.

Family was very important to Myrtle, not just blood family, but all those she adopted down through the years. Her adopted children are James Eric Burton, Jr., Vashon Adams, Kemah and Shacy Stallworth, John and Rita Davis, the Owens family, the Thompson family, Beverly Harris, the Davis family, and Sarah Darjean. She also loved her godchildren: Naomi Deyo, Akoma Davis, and Brittney Fair.

Myrtle had a natural gift for hospitality. She loved to entertain. It was not unusual for her to host guests in her home.  She loved to cook. Many dined at her table. Countless individuals enjoyed her baked goods – especially her ladyfingers and chocolate chip cookies. She was also known for mixing a good punch. Her car was a “God mobile”. Many were blessed to ride in it. She was not selfish. She was a mentor - a Christian witness to many.

On September 16, 2020, Myrtle experienced a serious medical event. She had a stroke and a heart attack, which resulted in her moving to St. Louis, Missouri to recover with her children and grandchildren. She later moved to Columbus, Ohio to be with her family as her health declined. While she lived in Houston, Texas, the Symrna SDA and Hebron SDA church families embraced and spoiled her. The Berean SDA church family in St. Louis and the Beacon of Hope church family in Columbus also had the opportunity to love on her while she was part of their congregations. It wasn’t hard at all! The World Harvest Outreach SDA Church of Houston, the Fairhaven SDA Church of Flint, Michigan, and Park Hill SDA Church of Denver, Colorado, and the Allegheny West Conference Administration and staff all became her church family.

Over the last several months, Myrtle expressed that “she was tired.” At night, she could be overheard talking to her Heavenly Father about “being ready to rest from her labors.” During the early morning hours on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, Myrtle Harriett O’Neal Osborne Beasley’s prayers were answered. She breathed her final breath at home and is now awaiting her “wake up call” on resurrection morning!

Myrtle was predeceased by her husband, Jimmie Neal Beasley; ex-husband, Charles Ray Osborne, Jr.; parents, Willie C.,Sr., and Floretta O’Neal; brothers, Willie (Helen), Perry (Betty), Jacob (Geraldine), Louis, and Leo (Ruby) O’Neil; and sisters, Annette (Wilbert), Anna Rose (Allen), and Mary.

She leaves to celebrate her life: her son, Charles Ray Osborne III (Quetah); granddaughter, Queanna Lee; grandson, Charles Ray Osborne IV (girlfriend, Peris Munene), and adopted grandson, Henry Taylor, Jr. (Amanda); bonus sisters, Marcia Sackie, Ruthie Mitchell, Zelma Randle, Naomi Burton, and Esther Murray (mother-in-law); and a great host of nieces and nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Myrtle Beasley, please visit our floral store.