Myah Rulone McKinnie was born, June 19, 1961, to Spurgeon and Althea Lester in El Paso, Texas. Her parents later moved and settled in Chicago, Illinois. Myah was adored by her parents. She was a quintessential Daddy's little girl.

At the tender age of three, Myah's parents enrolled her in dance at Mayfair Academy. From there, her passion for dance was ignited. While at Mayfair, Myah studied jazz, ballet, tap and modern contemporary dance. Myah continued her studies in Dance and English at Spelman College and Clark-Atlanta University in Atlanta. Myah returned to Chicago where she attended Columbia College Chicago and worked at Mayfair Academy as an instructor. While at Mayfair Academy, Myah danced for/with Ruth Page, Joseph Holmes and Joel Hall Dance Companies. She also performed in stage productions such as "The Wiz" and "Pippin."

Once Myah earned her BA in English with an emphasis in Writing, she used that degree to secure a position at the Law Firm of Sidley Austin as a proofreader. There she would meet Michelle Obama who was working as an attorney.

Myah married her soulmate, Gerrick LaVelle McKinnie, on June 6, 1985. From that union, Myah gave birth to their two sons, Gerrick LaVelle McKinnie, Jr. and Emmanuel Everett McKinnie. The family joined Chicago Embassy Church (formerly New Heritage Christian Center). From 1990 through 2015, Myah helped start and was the director of the Eagles Wings Dance Ministry of Chicago Embassy Church. Throughout her tenure with the troupe, she saw two generation of dancers grow into professionals. The troupe dancers would minister Sundays as well as special events. The troupe appeared on CBS Morning News, ministered at the Chicago Gospel Fest and the Bud Billiken Parade and were featured in the Chicago Tribune.

Myah was also a dance instructor for the Chicago Board of Education teaching at Oglesby Elementary School's after school program for several years and the City of Chicago's After School Matters Program. She was a dance instructor for the 2007 Majesty International Conference in Trinidad and Tobago and taught throughout the United States. As the Chicago and Illinois state coordinator for Christian Dance Fellowship USA, Myah provided leadership support for liturgical dancers through education, resources, and networking opportunities.

Myah would later become a fitness and Zumba instructor. She used that talent to better the physical, mental and emotional health of people of all ages and abilities. She taught all over the Chicago area. She taught at Rush University Medical Center, Shirley Ryan Ability Labs, Chicago Health Club, Women's Workout World, Bally Total Fitness, LA Fitness and a host of senior citizen and nursing home facilities.

Myah touched countless lives through her love for God and her desire to show that love to those God placed in her sphere of influence. Myah leaves a legacy that will endure far past the short years we shared with her. No doubt, she's dancing in Heaven.

Myah went home to dance before the Lord on July 12, 2024. She left to cherish her memories, her loving husband of 39 years, Gerrick LaVelle McKinnie, her two sons, Gerrick LaVelle McKinnie, Jr. (Crystal), and Emmanuel Everett McKinnie, her grandchildren, London, Mia, Leah, and Gerrick III, her mother-in-love, Mary Corrine McKinnie and a host of cousins, nephews, in-laws and friends.

Above from the program of her homecoming service, Saturday, August 3, 2024

Oakdale Covenant Church, Chicago, Illinois