Myra Jean Blay, 85, peacefully passed away surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 18, 2024, after a recent illness. She was a resident of Bay Port in Ft. Walton Beach, Florida.

Myra was born in Mt. Clemens, Michigan to the late Beatrice Sophia Alore and Lawrence Edward Harper on July 7, 1938. She grew up in Mt. Clemens and attended St. Mary's High School where she met Lawrence Lee Blay, the love of her life. When Larry joined the United States Navy in 1956 and served on active duty for twenty years Myra moved state to state with him as they raised 6 children. They were stationed coast to coast, from Maryland to California to Virginia and finally to Pensacola in 1975. They were members of the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart. Myra worked in the Civil Service until her retirement in 1996 in Orlando. Their final move was back home to Northwest Florida.

Myra loved being around her family and socializing with her many friends. She enjoyed traveling, which she did most of her life. She found beauty all around her, she loved gardening and enjoyed her quiet time reading and praying.

In addition to her parents, Myra is preceded in death by her husband, Larry; her brothers, Stanley and Otto Flippin; her sister and brother-in-law, Teresa and Dave Walters; and her daughter-in-law, Renata "Alex" Blay.

Those left to cherish her memory are children, Denise Marie (Aubrey), Fountain of Destin, FL, Sheila Blay-Baraga, of Portland, OR, Eric Lawrence (Nina) Blay, of Pensacola, FL, Daniel James Blay, of Pensacola, FL, Peter Charles (Renata-deceased) Blay, of Jacksonville, FL, and Cherylanne Blay-Marquez, of Altamonte Springs, FL; grandchildren who called her affectionately Gram, Valerie Ann Watson, Frank Elliott (Stefanie) Watson, Joshua Eric Starr (Chris), Jacquelyn Nina (Raymond) Forte, Alexandria O'Connell (Greg) Digby, Charles Joseph (Nicole) Blay, Addie Jean Collins, Lukas Christian Blay, Winnie Rose Blay, Fredy "Jesse" Alexander Blay and Grace Marie Fountain; great-grandchildren, Teresa Marie, Jude Francis, Dominic Xavier, and Clare Gianna Forte, Anya Maia Watson, Molly McSweeney Brown, and Lorelei Marlo Walley, Franklin Zane Watson, Alton Vander and Margot Juliette Blay; brother and sister-in-law's, Dennis (Joan), Michael (Donna), Dave and; dear friends, Dave and Sharon Graham; and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.

Pallbearers will be as follows, Frank Watson, Joshua Starr, Charles Blay, Raymond Forte, Greg Digby, Lukas Blay and Fredy Blay.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, April 24, 2024 beginning at 10:00am followed by the praying of the Rosary and Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00am at The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 1212 E. Moreno St., Pensacola, FL 32503, with Celebrant, The Very Rev. James Valenzuela. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, NAS Pensacola.

The family wants to give special thanks to Vitas Hospice for their care towards our mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart School, 1603 N. 12th Avenue, Pensacola, FL 32503.