Myrna Louise (McCool) Lanier was born in Rogers, Arkansas, spent much of her life in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and was living in Springfield, Missouri at the time of her death. She was a mother, grandmother, nurse, professor, and advocate for children. In all aspects of her life, she was a teacher. She was intellectually curious and shared her love of new discoveries with her children, grandchildren, and friends. She never stopped learning. Myrna graduated from Sparks School of Nursing in 1961 as a registered nurse. She received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Tulsa in 1972, a Master of Social Work from the University of Oklahoma in 1981, and a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Oklahoma in 1994. She was an Aging and Disabilities Scholar and held several professional licenses as a social worker. Prior to her retirement, she was an Associate Professor and the Assistant Director of the Associate of Nursing program at Mercy College of Nursing in Springfield. In her long career as a nurse and social worker, she worked as the Assistant Associate Dean of Nursing, associate professor, and program coordinator at Tulsa Community College, the Director of Treatment Programs of Parents Anonymous, an oncology nurse, and a private practice counselor. In 2006, Myrna received the Governor's Commendation in Oklahoma in recognition of her work as a registered nurse and nurse educator.

As accomplished as she was as an educator, nurse, and scholar, she was even more successful as a friend, mother, and grandmother. She loved her children above all else—until her grandchildren were born. She spent hours building LEGO sets, learning about Minecraft, and taking long walks with her grandchildren. She invented stories and built train sets on her bedroom floor, and was the co-conspirator in many adventures. She was never happier than when she was playing with them and indulged their daydreams with great enthusiasm. As they grew older, she became a confidante and advisor. She also loved visiting with her friends.

Myrna was a member of Christ Episcopal Church and taught Sunday school for several years. She was an avid sculptor and was always excited to learn more about working with wood and metal and clay. She also loved reading, watching Bones, peonies, chicken and dumplings, old country music, late-summer tomatoes, hummingbirds, Coke Zero, and anything chocolate. She was self-deprecating, optimistic, witty, and warm. Over the last months of her life, she repeatedly commented on how lucky she was to have lived the life she had. While she loved this life, she was not afraid of dying, and was confident that death would be a great new adventure.

Myrna is preceded in death by her parents, Denton McCool and Laura Price McCool, her brothers Jim, Mike and Pat, and her sister Jeanie Lake. She is survived by her children, Barry Boydstun (Huong) of Tulsa and Mary-Margaret Bohlen (Michael) of Springfield, her grandchildren Ashley Boydstun, William-Michael Bohlen, and Jason Boydstun, her brother Steve McCool (Kim), her best friend, Sandra Gray, many cousins, nieces and nephews, and dear friends.

A funeral service for Myrna will be held at Christ Episcopal Church in Springfield on February 19, 2022 at 11:00 am. A private burial at Dug Hill Cemetery, Bentonville, AR will be held at a later date. Online condolences may be sent to gormanscharpf.com.