Mrs. MaryJane "Suggie" Myers

MaryJane "Suggie" Myers, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and dedicated community leader, passed away on Tuesday evening, October 8th, 2024, in Leawood, Kansas, surrounded by her loving family. Born on May 8, 1935, in Harlem, New York, she was the daughter of Clarence and Dorothy Stewart. MaryJane grew up in Asbury Park, NJ with her brother LeBaron Stewart. She graduated from Asbury Park High School in 1952. She attended Howard University in Washington, DC, where she earned her B.S. degree in Psychology in 1956.
While at Howard University, MaryJane met Sere S. Myers, a charming dental student who first noticed her in her gym class, captivated by her beauty. They married on February 10, 1956. Then moved to Sere's hometown of Kansas City, Missouri to establish his first dental practice in December 1961. By the 1970s, Sere and her had five children, whom they cherished deeply.
Education served as MaryJane's fundamental foundation for both family and philanthropy. MaryJane was a devoted educator, teaching elementary school in the Kansas City, Missouri School District. She decided to set aside her career in education to focus on raising her children, community, civics, civil rights and the arts. Her commitment to her community was evident through her extensive activism and volunteer work. She served as a U.S. Delegate to the Vital Voices: Women in Democracy Conference in Vienna, Austria meeting First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and Ambassador Swani Hunt. She held leadership roles on various boards and served on various community organizations, including the Kansas Arts Commission, the Greater Kansas City Chapter of Links, Inc., a founding member of the Kansas City Women's Foundation and Kansas City Friends of Alvin Ailey and the Panel of American Women. In recognition of her dedication to community service, she was honored as a 1999 Hearts of Gold Honoree for Volunteerism by the YWCA. Mary Jane's remarkable contributions to her community will continue to inspire those whose lives she touched.
As a lifelong Episcopalian, MaryJane was a devoted member of St. Augustine's Episcopal Church for over 60 years. She served as Senior Warden and on the Bishop's Selection Committee for the Episcopal Diocese of West Missouri.
MaryJane cherished her friendships and took great joy in hosting gatherings. She was actively involved in various clubs and social organizations, including The Set Club, Club Impromptu, and the Howard University Alumni Club of Kansas City.
MaryJane is preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Sere S. Myers, Sr. The surviving family members are Serese Myers Cannon Brooks, D.D.S. (Eddie Brooks), Sere S. Myers, Jr., D.D.S. (Jacqueline Myers), Robin Myers Young, M.B.A. (Joseph Young), Stewart S. Myers, Sr., J.D. (Debbie Myers) and Sheryll L. Myers, B.S. The grandchildren are Serese Markelle Cannon, Tivoli Kathryn Cannon, Gabriella Elle Myers, and Stewart Scott Myers, Jr.
MaryJane's legacy of devoted wife, mother, commitment to family, service, love, community and education will be cherished by all who knew her.
MaryJane always believed people's education was vital for building a bright future. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Howard University General Scholarship Fund in honor of "Mary Jane Myers 56'." Please send donations via: (1) checks to – Howard University, Division of Development and Alumni Relations, 2715 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20001; or (2) credit card - https://giving.howard.edu/givenow
MaryJane Myers Community Involvement
U.S. Delegate to Vital Voices: Women In Democracy Conference, Vienna, Austria; Member of the Kansas City Arts Commission; Member of The Panel of American Women; President, Greater Kansas City Chapter of Links, Inc.; President, Howard University Alumni Club; President, Kansas City Jack n' Jill, Inc.; Board of Directors, Douglass State Bank of Kansas City, Kansas (first woman elected); Board of Directors, The Central Exchange; Board of Directors, University Associates, UMKC; Board of Directors, Red Bridge YMCA; YWCA Advisory Board of Kansas City, Kansas, including1999 YWCA Hearts of Gold Honoree for Volunteerism; Board of Directors, Coterie; Board of Directors, Greater Kansas city Women's Foundation; Assistant Director, George Salisbury Memorial Series - Conservatory of Music, UMKC; Docent, Nelson Atkins Museum and Gallery of Art.
Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, November 2, 2024, 11:30am at St. Augustine's Episcopal Church. Interment Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation from 10:00am -11:30am at the church. Services conducted by Watkins Hertiage Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Mrs. MaryJane "Suggie" Myers, please visit our floral store.