Myrtle B. West - Obituary

yrtle B. West, 91, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family and friends on May 30, 2018. She was born in Lochyelly, West Virginia to parents C. J. and Mary Dove Bragg. She lived in Maryland until 2004 when she relocated to Florida. During WWII, she worked as a machinist for the US Government in support of the war effort. Later she built and managed her own motel, casino and restaurant. Myrtle was an adventurer, always ready to try new things, go new places and meet new people. She had a lifetime goal of visiting every country in the world and came very close to doing just that. At age 85, she drove by herself up the Canadian Highway to Alaska. Her many travel joys included safaris, hot air balloon trips, zip lining and round the world cruising. As much as she loved to travel, she also enjoyed coming home to her beautiful view of the Indian River in Cocoa, Florida. Myrtle was predeceased by her son, Eugene West (who died at age 10 from a blood disorder), her husband Marion West, and her stepson, Richard West. She is survived by her sister, Betty Orrison; her stepson and his wife, Sherman and Pat West; her stepson Richard’s wife, Louise West; seven step-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, step-great grandchildren, step-great great grandchildren, and so many friends. To have known her was to have loved her. We now entrust her to God’s care and give thanks for the opportunity to have walked on the road of life with her. A Florida service was held on June 1, 2018. An additional life celebration gathering will be held at the Kalas Funeral Home, 6160 Oxon Hill Rd., Oxon Hill, MD 20745 on Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at 11:00 am until time of service at 12 noon followed by a procession to the Epiphany Episcopal Church Cemetery in Forestville, MD and subsequent burial. Throughout her lifetime, Myrtle was charitable to many people and organizations, and she had a special place in her heart for children with cancer. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, http://giftfunds.stjude.org/myrtlebwest.