Myra H. Israel

On June 13, 2015 Major Myra H. Israel was Promoted to Glory from her home at Del Mar Gardens in Lawrenceville, GA. She was born December 25, 1928 in Orlando, FL to Henry & Alberta Gray Brown Hallden.
In 1938 she accepted Christ as her Savior at a Youth Councils that was held in Jacksonville, FL. She was enrolled as a Junior Soldier on March 9, 1936 and then as Senior Soldier on November 19, 1944. Myra was very active in the Orlando Corps participating in Open Airs, YPL and serving as a Sunday School teacher. She was also a good musician playing her baritone in the band, the accordion at open airs and even sang vocal solos as a youth.
Sensing the call of God upon her life, she entered the Training College in 1951 and was commissioned May 12, 1952 as a member of the "Intercessors" Session. After commissioning she was appointed to Jacksonville, FL as the assistant officer and later to Fort Lauderdale, FL and Birmingham, AL.
On May 14, 1954 Myra married Lt. Travis Braxton Israel Jr. They began their ministry together in Pritchard, AL. For the next 27 years they served as Corps Officers in Bainbridge, GA, Wellsburg, WV, Frederick, MD, Winchester, VA, Atlanta Lakewood, Griffin, Valdosta and Warner Robins, GA. In 1981 they became part of the Adult Rehabilitation Command, serving in Baltimore MD and St. Petersburg, FL and in 1984 were appointed to THQ where Myra served as the ARC Statistician. After more than 42 years of active service they retired to Jacksonville, FL on October 31, 1994.
Myra found great joy as a corps officer, serving on camp staff and leading youth and women's groups. She especially loved working with cadets when they would field train in their corps. She was very involved in the communities where they served, giving leadership as President in the Pilot International Club in two appointments, Griffin & Valdosta, GA. Later in the ARC, she rejoiced in the redeemed stories of men who came through the centers in the Southern Territory. The ARC became the center of service for her passion to love people. Loving people was her dedication to God.
On her application for The Salvation Army Training College, she summed up her calling with these words, "I knew I would never completely be happy or satisfied until I became an officer in The Salvation Army. I know God has called me and I have dedicated my complete life to Him & mean to follow to the end." She was commissioned by General Albert Orsborn and he challenged her session to be "Counted Faithful." She indeed remained faithful until the very end continuing to glorify God and be a faithful witness to the saving grace of Jesus Christ in her life.
She is survived by her husband Travis B. Israel Jr., two sons Travis M. (Donna) and Mark H. (Carolee), and three grandsons Timothy (Andrea), Nathan and Zachary. Grandson, T. Matthew was Promoted to Glory in 1996. She is also survived by her sister Greta (Phil) Weis of Orlando, FL and niece Pamela (Rob) Knauff of New Port Richey, FL.


Funeral Home:
A. S. Turner & Sons
2773 North Decatur Road
Decatur, GA
30033