Myrna Lou McAnulty, age 95, of Russellville, passed away on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at Johnson County Health and Rehab in Clarksville. Born on December 12, 1930, in Howard, Kansas, she was the daughter of Dell and Velma Force.
She graduated from Howard High School in 1948 after being named homecoming queen the previous fall. Myrna married Van P. (Mac) McAnulty in 1953. They moved to Cambridge, England, where he served as a lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force. There, they welcomed their sons, Michael (Mike) in 1954 and John in 1955.
In 1956, the family returned to the United States, first to Eglin Air Force Base in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, and then to Tampa, Florida, where they welcomed their daughter Suzanne (Suzy) in 1960. Military life also took Myrna and her family to California, New Mexico, Massachusetts, and New York.
In 1970, Myrna and Mac settled in Russellville, drawn by their love of natural beauty and small-town America. In retirement, they traveled extensively in the U.S. and the world, together.
Myrna was a devoted military wife who cheerfully moved her family across the country and overseas, often at a moment’s notice. When Mac was deployed to serve in wars or conflicts around the world, she cared for their family on her own for periods of three to six months.
Myrna’s strength shone through in the independence she maintained over the past 15 years, living on her own with her sweet black Labrador, Belle. Throughout her life, she welcomed many dogs and a couple of cats, cherishing each as a member of the family. Myrna gave more than she received and was grateful for the people and blessings in her life. With a ready smile, she treated everyone with kindness and warmth. She loved her family deeply and was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, and aunt. Those who knew her had only kind words to say about her.
Myrna was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Lt. Colonel Van P. McAnulty; her parents; her sister, Joyce Glasscock, and Joyce’s husband, Terry; her brother, Wayne Force, and Wayne’s wife, Mary; and her daughter-in-law, Deborah McAnulty.
Myrna is survived by her son, Michael McAnulty and wife, Julia of Knoxville, Arkansas; her son, John McAnulty of Kansas City, Missouri; her daughter, Suzanne Mullen and husband, Rusty of Little Rock; grandchildren, Lindsey, Chase, Patrick, Chris and Ashley; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Special thanks to nieces Tharen, Linda, Bev, and Terri for their constant love and support.
A memorial service, followed by a visitation celebrating Myrna’s life, will be at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 18 at Shinn Funeral Service, followed by a private family burial service under the direction of Shinn Funeral Service of Russellville.
In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in her name to Central Presbyterian Church in Russellville, where she was a long-standing member and supporter, or to Russellville Animal Shelter.
Online guestbook and condolences are available at www.shinnfuneral.com.
