Lessie W. Myricks

Lessie W. Myricks went home to be with the Lord on March 4, 2011. She was born on April 9, 1915 in Montgomery, Alabama to the late Lemmon and Lucinda Hogan Walker. Lessie moved to Massillon in 1929 and following the death of her parents she became the caretaker for her infant brother Robert, raising him as her own. Lessie entered the workforce at an early age, holding many different types of jobs as she and her husband William Myricks provided for their son James and assisted many other family members. She did laundry, worked as a waitress, worked at the Timken Company, Republic Steel, sold insurance and became the first African¬-American to be employed in professional services at Apple Creek Development Center. She worked there for 23 years as Activity Therapy Specialist, retiring in 1978. During that time, Lessie returned to McKinley Night School and earned her high school diploma in 1971. Lessie had a high regard for higher learning and assisted several young people in fulfilling their goal of a college education. Lessie was always civic-minded, serving on many boards and volunteering in the community as well as being an avid worker in the church all her life. She was a member of Friendship Baptist Church for over 70 years, serving as Sunday school superintendent, treasurer of the Missionary Society, and church clerk. She was also active in the Massillon Woman's Club, Friends of the Library, served on the board of Westark Family Services, Massillon Business and Professional Women's Club, Ohio Activity Therapists Association, and a life member of OPERS. She was a charter member of the Massillon Urban League, the Massillon NAACP, and a member of the State and National Democratic Party, serving as a poll worker. Lessie was a member of the National and Ohio Association of Colored Women's Clubs since 1947 and served on the national budget committee, and as state and district financial secretary and treasurer. Lessie received many prestigious honors and awards from her community, Stark County, and the State of Ohio. Some of the honors received were United Way Volunteer of the Year, Canton Negro Oldtimers Community Service Award, the MLK Salute to Greatness Award from the Stark County Community Action Agency, the Ohio Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award from U.S. Sen. George Voinovich, YWCA Academy of Women, ABCD Outstanding Lifetime Community Contribution Award, Massillon Senior Citizens Hall of Fame, Mary Church Terrell Club Beautiful People Honor, and was presented with a proclamation from Mayor Cicchinelli on her 90th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers, Johnny Walker, Lemmon Walker Jr., Willie James Arrington, and her husband, William L. Myricks, with whom she celebrated 58 years of marriage before his passing in 1993. She leaves to cherish her memory; sons, James Myricks of Massillon, Robert L.(Norma) Walker of Cleveland; daughter, Caminie Outerbridge of New York; sisters, Lucille Clark of Massillon and Mary Frances Furlow of Cuyahoga Falls; sister-in-law, Janie Arrington of Montgomery, Alabama; grandchildren, Denise Myricks, Dalon (Mallorie) Myricks, Diane (Steve) Eiredan of Cleveland; ten devoted first cousins, special daughters Patricia Beane and Susan Keller and many other relatives and friends. Lessie's motto: To serve the present age is my calling to fulfill, may all my strength engage to do my Master's Will. Funeral services will be held Tuesday, March 8, 2011 at 11:00 AM at Friendship Baptist Church with Reverend Reginald Hye. Friends may call Monday from 6 – 8 PM at the Paquelet Funeral Home in Massillon and also one hour before the services at the church on Tuesday. Interment will be at Oakwood Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to the family at 3329 Meadowwood N.W., Massillon, Ohio 44646 and at www.paquelet.com. Paquelet Massillon A Golden Rule Funeral Home (330)833-222