Myrna Smith Passed Away Last Night

From Megan Murphy: It is with deep sadness that we inform you all that Myrna Smith passed away last night. After a difficult battle, she now will rest in peace. Personally, I would like to thank Carole Drexler who was by Myrna's side and gave her lots of TLC and support. Carole also kept us all informed on Myrna's condition and passed along our thoughts and wishes to Myrna. Thank you Carole.
http://backinmemphis.blogspot.com/2010/12/myrna-smith-has-passed-away.html

Those of us who knew Myrna appreciated her sense of humor, her beautiful spirit and her incredible voice. She has now joined that heavenly choir. May she rest in peace and may her memory live in our hearts always.


2-23-73
From Elvis On Tour


Myrna Smith, lead singer and an original member of The Sweet Inspirations, spent 8 years working with Elvis Presley on national concert tours and recordings. She sung on over 500 hit records. In the 1960s, Myrna was a high school teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey while pursing her singing career. Smith was a beloved member of the Elvis family Myrna was also song writer who co-wrote many of the songs for Carl Wilson's 1981 solo album Carl Wilson as well as a few of the songs on his 1983 solo album Youngblood.

She worked with stars from Aretha Franklin to Van Morrison and has provided the world with some of the best soulful harmonies that have ever been recorded.

How the Sweets came to be: The Sweets formed in 1967 with Estelle, Sylvia and Myrna. They were all from New Jersey originally. Sylvia was from North Carolina but as a teenager she went to New York and her sister Judy Clay, another famous soul singer, was also a part of the 1950's gospel group The Drinkard Sisters who would eventually become The Sweets.

She said of Elvis: "His voice was a lot more remarkable than it ever came off on record ... He was just a much better singer than could ever be captured...Some great singers' voices are just too big. Elvis' was like that."