Johnnie Myra Ham

Johnnie “Myra” Ham of Dothan, AL. passed away Tuesday the 25th day of August 2015 at her daughter’s home with her family at her bedside. Most knew her as Myra but her close friends and family called her “Tiny.”

Myra was born September 8, 1926 in Crenshaw County, AL. She was the daughter of the late John and Lula Moses Spurlock of Crenshaw County, AL. Her mother died when Myra was only six years of age.

At her request Myra will be cremated with a family graveside service at a later date. She will be buried in Luverne, AL next to her beloved brother Ferman Spurlock. At other times the family will be at the address of Jacquelyn Devane, 104 3rd Avenue, Ashford, AL.

Myra moved with her family to Dothan from Pensacola, FL after her husband’s retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1962. Dothan would then become their forever home. Her husband moved his family here to work with what was then Hayes International, Corp.

Myra loved gardening and was an extremely talented seamstress making all of her daughter’s clothes. She was known to go to Blumberg’s in downtown Dothan in those days and then go home and cut a pattern to make her daughter’s clothes.

Myra worked civil service at Ft. Rucker for many years mainly in the commissary as a cashier. In 1973 she accompanied her husband to Tehran, Iran where he was employed by Bell Helicopter. Myra immediately formed a group to find and provide housing for new employees and their families arriving in Tehran.

They returned to Dothan in 1976 due to Myra’s health. However upon her improvement, they returned to Iran while her husband was employed with Lockheed Aircraft. They came home to Dothan in 1979 after the Shah left due to his health. Myra was active in the Forsythia Garden Club holding every office that existed in the Garden Club. She also was active in politics; volunteering for candidates running for office in Houston County, the State of Alabama, and on the national level. She was an avid Auburn fan. Her husband continued to work overseas in Greece, Saudi Arabia and finally in Abu Dhabi setting up a supply depot for the helicopters fighting in Desert Storm.

Myra’s husband Zephy Nie Ham preceded her in death in 1994 after 34 years of marriage. She was also preceded in death by her parents, her brother Ferman Spurlock, her three sisters, Grace Paul, Ebra Bodiford and Nyra Beasley, her dear brother-in-law Lavon Bodiford, her two nephews Wayne and Thomas Bodiford, a special sister-in-law Mary Spurlock Jeffcoat, and the father of her children Jack J. Lenderman of Pensacola, FL.

She is survived by her daughter Jacquelyn Lenderman Joel Devane of Ashford, AL; her son Jeffrey V. Lenderman of Santa Rosa Beach, FL; her only grandchild Alexandra Allie Lenderman of Destin, FL; her brothers three daughters Louellen who recently lost her husband Phillip Ballard of Opelika, AL, Margaret Ann who recently lost her husband Jim Ballard of Milton, FL, and Bonnie Faye Danny O’Dell of Pace, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; also her lifelong friend Jane McMahan of Yorktown, VA. While working overseas she and Zephy made many friends both Americans and Iranians who continued to stay in touch with her.

The family request no flowers or food be sent. Instead those that wish may make a donation to the American Cancer Society, The Wounded Warrior Project or Covenant Hospice who we could never thank enough for the care both mentally for the family and physically for Myra. She left this world at peace with her Lord.