Woodward, Okla. — Myrta E. "Mikki" Paph, 86 year old Woodward County resident, died Saturday, November 6, 2010 at her home south of Woodward. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Woodward with Rick Mercer officiating. Interment will be in the Elmwood Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of the Billings Funeral Home.
Myrta E. (Austin) Paph was born on August 15, 1924 in Woodward County, Oklahoma to R.V. and Ruby (Ballinger) Austin. She was reared on the Austin farm southwest of Woodward in a big two story wooden farm house. Myrta attended school at the Oakland School #263 from the first to the eighth grade and her Freshman and Sophomore years she was taught by a state teacher. She graduated from Jefferson S.D.A. Academy in Jefferson, Texas and after graduation attended college in Alva, Oklahoma and graduated with her Teachers Certificate. While in college, Myrta worked as a cashier at a café in Alva.
She was united in marriage to Raymond Albert Paph on April 30, 1948 in Medford, Oklahoma. They made their first home in Alva and were blessed with three children, Kalman, Raymond and Vicki. Myrta worked as a teacher at a one room school house in the Vonton community. She later worked as a Key punch operator for an Insurance company and then at the Kelly Air Force Base for a year. Myrta later worked at the Kiddie Campus in Houston, Texas as a Kindergarten teacher and the Houston Junior Academy as an elementary teacher for eight years.
Myrta was a member of the Seventh Day Adventist Church. She loved getting together with her family, her relationship with the Lord and her church. She enjoyed painting, quilting, singing with the Woodward Senior Citizens choir, bird watching, traveling and playing piano for the church.
She is survived by one son, Raymond Paph II of Woodward; one daughter Vicki Railey of Woodward; one brother, Jerry Austin of Woodward; one grandchild, Leisa Tullier; two great-grandchildren, Mark and Emily Tullier; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, R.V and Ruby Austin, one son, Kalman R. Paph, her husband Raymond Paph, one sister, Crystal Overton, three brothers, Kenneth Austin, James Austin and R.V. Austin.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Seventh Day Adventist Church Building Fund with the funeral home accepting the contributions. Remembrances may be shared online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com.