From Myrna's friend Carole:
"Dear All: I've received inquiries asking about sending flowers for Myrna. Myrna's body is being cremated. There is no funeral or service or viewing, & Myrna's ashes are not being buried or interred. Myrna's brother advised he will take the urn with Myrna's ashes home & place it on the mantle next to her mother's urn. For those who want to do something, I believe Myrna would most like a charitable donation made in her honor. Myrna was a very giving person & always thinking of others. Most Elvis fans give to charity or belong to a fan club that supports one or more charities. Since the fans are the ones who helped Myrna, I think she would be proud to have donations made to fan club supported charities in her honor/memory. And, since the fans are the people who took on the role of Myrna's family & helped her, the fan clubs & fans can post the information regarding anything done in Myrna's honor &, thus, keep her Elvis Family informed. I never discussed this with Myrna, so the above are simply my thoughts, based on having known her.
Carole"
I really can not believe that EPE,Lisa and Priscilla didn't help anything during her hospital expenses. I know that Myrna had needed help about money so that's why tcb band had prepared a charity show in memphis. SHAME ON YOU REALLY EPE AND LISA.
Before blaming & criticizing, you must ask yourself if they were truly aware of the situation? How close is Cilla & Lisa Marie to the goings on of Elvis' ex-musicians and backup singers? Were they even aware she was sick? You know how un-involved they both are with the Elvis product that gets put out, so it is possible they could be totally ignorant of any situation involving Elvis' musical family. That said, if they did know and refused to help, then shame on them.
am i reading this right no funeral no friends to say goodbye no hymns no eulogy where are all the tcb band members and others
Not quite sure why some are blaming EPE, Pris. or Lisa for anything about the death arrangements for Myna. If it's about Cremation or a eulogy, thats up to the immediate family. I have made the same for myself. No funeral, no eulogies, just simple Cremation. That's just me ! Ashes to ashes, dust to dust........
In short. EPE, Priscilla, Lisa, Jerry, Jack Soden etc... are not obliged to pay anything for an Elvis back-up singer from 70s (and I do not think they were asked, anyway). Who is obliged (aside the fact that it is irresponsible and stupid to have no health insurance) - Myrna's own family. If they do not care - and according what I have heard her own brother who collected money from Elvis fans did not paid hospital expenses for her - then WHO is obliged to care? If you must, then blame her own family and not others!
Steve V,samcra,wayup : aboslutely agreed ! (though I'm not "a fan" of EPE, but that's another story) Always El.
This is really very sad and thankfully there were people in the Elvis world who were able to help. Thank god for the NHS in the UK.
Losing Myrna was heartbreaking. I was preparing to visit her when it was announced she had passed away. I feel we should have a tribute to her in some way. Perhaps we the fans can set aside a special day to honor her, Sherill and Sylvia.
i think a good way to honor her would be having a day on here where everyone post video of their favorite song of hers or interview it dont even have to be about elvis. he loved her a lot she was basically family to him. we should honor her the same way she honored elvis and thats keeping her music alive. and showing the world again how great the sweet inspirations were and still are.
I have been receiving Carole Drexler's emails from the beginning. It was Carole who put out the word that Myrna needed financial help. Myrna's brother and son, for whatever reason, did not participate. It was Carole and Elvis fans wanting to help that provided for Myrna to have a nice play to stay and be cared for. Money donated was sent to a bank account that Carole set up for Myrna. Myrna had assigned power of attorney to her brother for other things.
I have seen this happen before with others. It is human nature to perhaps be scared, and thus deny death and to make those arrangements. All I can say is, without the Elvis family being there for Myrna (and she knew it, thanks to Carole) she was well taken care of, she died with dignity, and her cremains given to the family. I don't see how EPE was supposed to be involved to make all those final arrangements. Isn't that a family thing or a 'duty' you take care of and plan for yourself? Perhaps to 'go quietly' was Myrna's choice.
I think it fantastic that Carole was such a good friend to Myrna until the end, and that the 'Elvis family' stepped up to help. And I think it good, that we who love and appreciate Myrna, do now what feels right to pay tribute to her memory.
I find the usual bashing of EPE, Pricilla and Lisa Marie very distasteful in this context. To use the death of this poor lady as an excuse the bring up this subject yet again is disgraceful. Shame on them? No, shame on the person that thinks that way.
A person not having a funeral service is not usually a matter of the cost of one, it is due to the feelings of the recently departed or their closest family. John Lennon did not have a funeral service. Why people would think that the TCB Band or EPE would have a say in the matter is beyond me.
Hi Tony C. You nailed it!!! Those bashers are the disgrace. I did sent economic aide to Myrna but don't bash ones that don't!! What matters is to respect her memory!!! Happy new year!
Regardless of "bashing" anyone, I find it absolutely disgraceful that the official site (elvis.com) has not mentioned the sad passing of this very important and special lady. It is nothing short of scandalous; I don't know who actually runs the site but surely there is n excuse for this insulting behaviour. The simple question is "what would Elvis do?" and the answer is NOT "ignore her passing".
Hi MickeyN, sorry, but I have to correct your statement . Like I wrote in a previous posting, I'm not a fan of EPE for a couple of reasons, but the truth is the truth and must be said : EPE DID PAY ATTENTION on the passing of Myrna. On the 27th of December 2010 they published the following : quote :" We regret to inform you of the passing of Myrna Smith on Friday night, Christmas Eve. Myrna was singer and song-writer, and a member of the group Sweet Inspirations, who recorded and performed with Elvis Presley from 1969-1977. She also sang back-up for other stars including Dusty Sprinfield and Aretha Franklin. Along with their professional relationship, Myrna and Elvis were also close friends.Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family." unquote. IMHO neither EPE, Lisa or Priscilla can be blamed for the " no funeral ceremony". May Myrna rest in peace, she will not be forgotten by her friends and the fans . Apart from this : Happy New Year to all of you .Always El.
Well Benny I stand corrected - except if you look at the "Current News" section of www.elvis.com there is NOTHING about Myrna. Actually, I cannot find your quote anywhere on the official site. I am perfectly willing to believe that EPE did post something respectful in honour of Myrna, but all I can see is the preponderance of adverts for tat. They are probably too busy looking for someone to sue.
The DVD Love Me Tender The Love Songs of Elvis Presley has a Bonus section that includes Myrna describing how she felt when Elvis came out on stage...wonderful and so loving...
Hello MickeyN, I'll check it and try to find out . I'll let you know asap . OK ? Best regards. Always El.
Benny - no problem, I was just giving vent to my usual frustrations about EPE. Nevertheless we are all Elvis fans, and I wish the spirit of Elvis happiness to you and yours for 2011.
Hoi MickeyN, you were absolutely right about the "no trace on the official site " !!! Only fans who suscribed (by giving their e-mail address ) for the EPE "Newsletter" got by e-mail the message I was referring to . Personally I find it stupid and ridiculous EPE didn't inform everybody via their official site (which I very seldom visit) ! Wish you and your family a healthy and happy 2011 ! Always El.
To Benny and others, Right after the news that Myrna passed away, i've sent an e-mail to EPE. And asked them to pay their respect to Myrna and inform the 'world'. Nothing on the the site till today....That's a shame, i.m.o. Elvis had a special relationship with Myrna, and she had a special relationship with us (after his death).Keeping his memory alive....
Hey tesla (Edwin), indeed regrettable EPE didn't inform the "world", they informed just the "Newsletter"-suscribed. Always El.