Obituary of Almena L. Myers

Almena L. Myers, was born in Tatum, South Carolina, Marlboro County, to the late Gladys and Andrew Lucas and was reared by her adoring grandparents, the late Fannie and Carl Covington. At an early age she accepted Christ and became a member of Hopewell Methodist Church in Tatum, South Carolina. The Covington family later relocated to Bennettsville, South Carolina, where Almena attended and graduated from the public schools in Marlboro County. She graduated in 1953 from Claflin College (now Claflin University) in Orangeburg, South Carolina, receiving a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education. She did graduate work at South Carolina State University, Orangeburg, SC, and Hamilton College, Clinton, NY. Almena was married to the late Reverend Dr. Thomas L. Myers of St. Stephen, SC, for fifty-two wonderful years. They were blessed with a loving daughter, Thomasena Denise Myers Wood and a caring son-in-law, the late Dr. Eric K. Wood, Sr. Mrs. Myers was a public-school teacher for seventeen years in the Berkeley County South Carolina School System. She was later employed for eighteen years as the Supervisor of Attendance at the District Office for the Berkeley County Department of Education until she retired. Almena served as Secretary of the Berkeley County Teachers Association, Board Member of the Berkeley County Credit Union Finance Committee, Member of the South Carolina Education Association (SCEA), National Education Association (NEA), and President of the South Carolina Supervisors Association. In 1956, Almena became a member of Allen A.M.E. Church in St. Stephen, SC, and served in the following capacities: Choir Director, Member of the Senior Choir, Sunday School Teacher, Women’s Missionary Society (WMS), the Allen Christian Endeavor (ACE) League, and Young People Department (YPD). As an Affiliated Member of St. Andrews A.M.E. Church in Andrews, South Carolina, where her husband served for thirty-two years, Almena was a Sunday School Teacher, Vacation Bible School Teacher, Member of the Senior Choir, and the Advisor to the Etta A. Thompson Missionary Society. Under her leadership as Advisor to the Etta Thompson WMS, the following were accomplished: • The Young Women’s Initiative (YWI) was established to get young women, 18-40 years of age, involved in the WMS at the church. • WMS volunteered in the classrooms weekly at schools in the Kingstree area, near Andrews. • WMS visited nursing homes regularly and provided Thanksgiving Dinners, Christmas items, and other needed items during the year. • WMS became donors to the Angel Tree Program for children whose fathers or mothers were incarcerated in the Andrews area. In the Kingstree District of the A.M.E. Church, Almena served as Assistant Advisor to the YPD, Chairperson of the Heath-Polk Committee, and Worship Leader. On the Conference level, Almena served faithfully as the Chairperson for the Seventh Episcopal District Hospitality Committee for the Missionary Retreat, Treasurer and Choir Member of the Ministers’ Spouses and Widows/Widowers Alliance, and various other committees. After moving to Nashville, Tennessee, Mrs. Myers became a member of Lee Chapel A.M.E. Church. She was a member of the Sunday School Department, Emma S. Ransom WMS Society, the Guiding Light Club, serving as the Assistant Secretary, and the WMS Corresponding Secretary. She participated in the After School Program, Church and Community Meals on Wheels Program, and the Mentoring Program. Almena was a member of the Tennessee Conference WMS Silver Torch Bearer-13th Episcopal District. She was a member of the Tennessee Conference Ministers’ Spouses and Widows/Widowers Alliance, serving as Corresponding Secretary. For her dedicated, unswerving service to her church and its auxiliaries at the local, State, and District level, she received numerous awards and citations which included the 2016 Tennessee Conference Lay Organization Legacy award. Almena was a member of the Nashville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Her commitment to her beloved sorority began at Claflin College in 1952 where she was initiated into Gamma Chi Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. From that time forward, her dedication and engagement with the sorority was immeasurable. She was a charter member of the Berkeley County Chapter in Moncks Corner, South Carolina. Almena was also a Golden life member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. She leaves to cherish her memory her loving and devoted daughter, Thomasena; four loving grandchildren: Dr. Eric Kevin Wood, Jr., Cleveland, OH; Dr. Judson Ryan ( Dr. Angelica) Wood, Nashville, TN; Marlena Glanise Wood and Thomas Myers (Dr. Dierdre) Wood, Houston, TX; eight adorable great grandchildren: Braydon, Reagan, Brennon, Andersyn, Madeleine, London, Karsyn, and Harper; two sisters-in-law, Dorothy Hill, Seaside, CA and Lillie Ruth Myers, Pineville, SC; a brother-in-law, Retired Presiding Elder Samuel Myers, Charleston, SC; a goddaughter, Robin James Colman, Columbia, SC; extended family, Mr. & Mrs. William (Pariece) Wilkins, Fort Washington, MD; and numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and special friends.