Myrtie Frances Strickland Highsmith
A well-known native of Waycross and born October 5, 1938 to the late Farley and Mamie Cinderella Strickland Strickland of Pierce County, Georgia,

She was the wife of the devoted Mr. Russell Lesley Highsmith, of 66 years, passed away peacefully at home, December 24, 2023, at the age of 85.

she was preceded in death by three brothers, Horace, Harvey and Banner Strickland; two sisters, Clara Thornton and Bernice Morgan; grandson, Joshua Thomas Highsmith; son in law, Wm A. "Buddy" Rowell; five brothers-in-law, Edmond, Eli, Florenz, Winston and Wesley Highsmith; and four sisters-in-law, Verti Lee, Betty Carol, Patricia and Elizabeth.

Young Myrtie lived at the Harry Dykes Place until the age of 3. Her family then moved to 96 acres, also in Pierce County.
Raised as a farmer's daughter, the youngest of 7, she remained there until she graduated in 1956 from Blackshear High School where she participated in Homemaker Classes and Basketball. Upon graduation, Myrtie left Pierce County and moved to Jacksonville, FL, employed as a Long Distance Switchboard Operator with Southern Bell Telephone Company.
In 1957, Myrtie married Army Corporal Russell Lesley Highsmith of Waycross.
The couple remained in Jacksonville with their four children until 1969.
The next 54 years were spent raising their family at home in the Jamestown Community.

During the years 1971-1986, Mrs. Highsmith was a Ware County School System Bus Route Driver and lead driver for the Golden Gators Marching Band. She won many Bus Driving Rodeo Competitions throughout her 15 year career. She began driving her route in the early years through the Pinecress School and Dixie Union area. Her later routes were in the Jamestown Community close to home.

After retiring, Myrtie's husband and talented carpenter, Lesley, built a sewing shop. Acquiring her business license was the perfect way to extend her knowledge and love of design.
Known as "Myrtie's Specialties Unlimited", another professional career was in the works. Learning how to sew at a young age and then as a teenager during homemaker classes in high school, Myrtie was fulfilling a life-long dream. Thousands of garments, including wedding gowns, bridesmaid, mother/grandmother, flower girl, beauty pageant, prom and homecoming dresses were designed, fashioned and fitted for hundreds of clients. The formal attire included matching cumberbunds and bow ties for the gentlemen. Cheerleading, flag corp, drum major, majorette, choral robes and other team uniform groups were among these counts. As a mother and grandmother, Mrs. Highsmith custom designed and stitched for many hours to complete her daughters', granddaughters' and many nieces' wedding gowns, all unique and extremely lovely. Baby christening gowns, bonnets and booties always adorned the newborns who came into her life. Delicate finger work was evident in each individual piece. Specialty curtains, drapes, bedspread, comforters and decorative pillows were also made for the family home and can be admired to this day. Myrtie spent many years creating the clothing she wore and most of the wardrobes that her children grew up wearing everyday. At the age of 13, her twin daughters had learned enough to continue the trait, teaching the next generations of seamstresses.

Gaining much recognition for years to come, her family will always cherish the many talents she shared with them. Sewing was only one, Myrtie acquired master skills in crochet, knitting, cross stitch, needlepoint, smocking, crewelwork, applique and both brazilian and ribbon embroidery. However, much of her time was spent quilting.

In 1992, while attending a fabric show in Atlanta, accompanied by her daughter, Regina, and granddaughter, she was introduced to needle tatting. Throughout her young life, she had been taught how to shuttle tat, (the art of lacemaking by hand, which can never be replicated by machine or modern technology). Myrtie's mother, Mamie instructed her, as was her mother's mother, Arlie Cinderella Tillman Strickland. The fascination with needle form was a whole new level of finger art. Starting in 2002, she attained grants for several years from the State of Georgia, Governor's Office, Georgia Council for the Arts, for the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program as a Master Tatter. She was an instructor and teacher, publishing her own instructional workbook, complete with many lace designs and photography, demonstrating the needle, thread and hand positions. The manual has sold to many who carry on the folk art tradition and it is registered in the Library of Congress. Myrtie's most coveted collection includes a baby bonnet tatted with thread thinner than horse hair and has over 40,000 stitches. The unusual skill of tatting both left and right handed allowed her to humbly teach all who wanted to learn. Both of her daughters and oldest granddaughter, Kristina King Foreman, are apprentice tatters who have mastered the art and teach to others, a legacy that has been passed down to more than five generations. Mrs. Highsmith has demonstrated and displayed her delicate tatted pieces, at the Georgia National Fair in Perry, Mossy Creek Barnyard Festival (15 years), Okefenokee Agricultural Fair, Okefenokee Heritage Center, Obediah's Okefenok and other venues throughout the Southeast. Winning many ribbons and awards, she stayed steady and patient with young and old students alike. The talented artist often gave gifts of tatted crosses to the special people who touched her life. She was a faith based believer and loved giving gifts to many.

As a homemaker, Myrtie was a member of the Georgia Homemakers Council, Inc., East District. She served on the Executive Board beginning in 2004. Mrs. Highsmith was an avid quilter during this time and through the years ahead, she served as a member and participant with the local quilt guilds and area homemaker groups. Quilting was one of Myrtie's many passions, entering competitions and shows across the country. Her quilts were big and small, colorful and full of life. Each one with a different and unique story. In 2001, not only did she have a competition quilt in the International Quilt Show in Paducah, KY, she wore a patchwork jacket that she quilted with stippling, in the fashion show gala event. Her daughter, Tina, also was featured in the show as she wore a suit of quilted fabric. One of Mrs. Highsmith's quilts gained fame traveling with the Cotton Exchange across the country and was viewed by many admirers. The miniature quilt displayed photo transfers of her families' wedding gowns. Her works have been displayed in several museums and fairs, near and far. They are eye-catching and great conversation pieces.

Mrs. Highsmith loved cooking, baking and canning. She shared unique and unusual recipes with her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Many memories and favorite delicacies will forever be part of "Granny Myrtie's" family food fun. Her kitchen was always filled with the aroma of something sweet to eat. She created beautiful wedding cakes and catered many events. Her culinary skills will live on for generations to come.

To no one's amazement, she also had a love for beautiful flowers and enjoyed gardening at home. Myrtie was mother to many hatched butterflies, sharing the stages of development with her grandchildren once she gathered the pupa and cocoons from her giant parsley plants. Counting the days, she made sure to film and photograph the magnificent events. Mrs. Highsmith happily shared seeds, seed pods, cuttings, clippings, rootings and bloom from the collection. As always she cherished the gift of new varieties from family and friends. For many years, she divided 50 and 75 year old bulbs to give to others. Some of her family members grow lilies that are from her mother's garden. A most valued daylily, it is the triple bloom, called "Old Glory", one of Mamie's favorites. Flowers, herbs, berries, figs and pears were gathered annually to prepare for another preserving season.

Mrs. Highsmith also acquired several certificates from the Area Technical College, gaining worthwhile skills in computer concepts, Microsoft and Adobe programming. She completed training in construction and built her own restroom cabinets. Though later in years, as a student, she was able to prove, "You are never too old to learn something new!"

Survivors include her husband of 66 years, Russell "Lesley" Highsmith of Waycross;
four children, Regina King (Kelly) of Waresboro, Tina Maddox (Sam) of Screven, Russell A. "Rusty" Highsmith (Julie) of Waycross; and Ethan E. Highsmith (Margie) of Waycross; 14 grandchildren, Kristina King Foreman (Cliff) of Waresboro, Kevin King (Lacey Shackleford) of Waresboro, Paula Rowell Orent (John) of Bellevue, NE, Lisa Rowell Ray (Jamie) of Waycross, Sarah Rowell of Gravette, AR, Chase Highsmith (Jessica) of Waycross, Bella Highsmith of Waycross, Eli A. Highsmith of Waycross and Cayla Highsmith of Waycross; five step-grandchildren, Jennifer Maddox Worthy (Kyle) of Port Saint Joe, FL, Beth McCarthy Leach (Tommy) of Charleston, TN, and Sarah McCarthy of Waycross; 15 great grandchildren, two great great grandchildren, 12 step grandchildren and four step great great grandchildren; brother, Milton Strickland (Janet) of Middleburg, FL; two brother-in-laws, Michael D. Highsmith (Cindy) of Chipley, FL and Ronnie Thrift (Jan) of Waycross; four sister-in-laws, Josephine Jolley (Bill) of Brunswick, Myrna Sullivan of Hampton, GA, Lavern Ogden (Rudy) of Brunswick and Lyndall Howard of Waynesville, GA; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

As her legacy lives on in the hearts of many and though sadden by their loss, the family expresses the joy of knowing Mrs. Highsmith has a heavenly home and is searching out loved ones who have gone on before her. Her faith was unwavering and her love of God was shown in her everyday life. The children of Myrtie invite all who knew her to share a note of precious memories. A collection of such will be gathered and passed onto future generations. Mail to the family home: Memory of Myrtie, 4040 Russell Lane, Waycross, GA 31503.

In lieu of flowers, plants or other adornments, it has been expressly asked that all memorial gifts or donations be given in her memory to: Scouting for Jesus Christ Ministries, Honoring Myrtie, 1740 Calvin Road, Waycross, GA 31503.

Mrs. Myrtie Frances Strickland Highsmith will be remembered at a memorial service and celebration Saturday, January 13, 2024, at Music Funeral Home Chapel at 10 a.m. located in Waycross. A "family only" visitation is from 9 until 10 a.m. in the viewing room. After the service all are invited to join the family for a lunch and fellowship being served at the family home, 4040 Russell Lane, Waycross, GA 31503, from 1p.m. until.