Obituary for Myra Lee Yocom Barham

Myra Lee Yocom Barham, 98, of Portageville, passed away peacefully on May 8, 2026. She was born on April 17, 1928, in Lawrence County, Tennessee, to the late Linna May Clark and Mack Yocom.

On October 15, 1944, in Piggott, she married the love of her life, Loren D. Barham. Together they shared nearly 70 wonderful years of marriage and built a loving family filled with faith, strength, and devotion.

Myra was a woman whose hands were seldom idle. She was employed at various garment factories in Southeast Missouri. She derived pleasure from quilting, nurturing flowers and gardens, painting, reading, and coloring even the most challenging images. She possessed a creative spirit and a calm resolve that was evident in all her endeavors. However, above all her passions, her deepest joy stemmed from her family. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the focal point of her existence, and she cherished every moment shared with them.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Loren D. Barham, who passed away on October 23, 2015; her infant daughter, Nancy Lynn Barham; her son, Larry Barham, who was killed in action in Vietnam War on February 6, 1968; her grandson, Bennie Barham; and infant great-granddaughter, Brittney Barham. She was also preceded in death by her brothers, Carlas, Hoyt, Harold, Winfred, and Hillard Yocom; and her sisters, Edna Roberts, May Box, Cora Cobb, and Verna Bee Hargraves.

She leaves behind her sons, Gary (Genise) Barham of Portageville, Missouri; Jerry W. (Laura) Barham of Kansas City; and Terry Barham of Portageville, Missouri. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Larry (Brenda) Barham, Robert (Shanna) Barham, Jonathon (Missy) Barham, Patrick (Lisa) Barham, and Tabitha Barham; her great-grandchildren, Jordon Lee (John), Shad Barham, Madison Barham, Connor Barham, Klie Barham, Jayden Barham, and Gabrielle Barham, Parker Thompson and her great-great-granddaughter, Sophie Lee.

Myra will be remembered for her loving heart, her creative hands, her enduring strength, and the warmth she shared so freely with those around her. Her legacy lives on through the family she cherished and the memories they will hold close forever.