Myrna Lee Carney

Dr. Myrna Lee Carney was born on June 27, 1938, in the Parallel community, northeast of Putnam, Dewey County, Oklahoma. Myrna passed from this life into her heavenly home on April 4, 2018. Myrna was the oldest of five children born to Edward Hugh Carney and Elva Nora (Deickman) Carney.
Myrna attended Leedey High School, graduating in 1956, as salutatorian of a class of 32. Who would have dreamed that a shy little first grader who walked a quarter of a mile to catch the school bus to attend a small rural school would eventually have a key to an office at one of the largest universities in the nation? Myrna worked in a number of roles at the University of Oklahoma during her 42 years, retiring as the Assistant Dean of University College in 2008.
Myrna started her college education with a basketball scholarship to Clarendon Junior College, Clarendon, Texas, graduating as class valedictorian in 1958. She then received an academic scholarship to Northwestern State University at Alva, Oklahoma. It was while at Northwestern that she discovered her true passion for counseling and advising students while she was a student dorm counselor. Myrna also attended Michigan State University, the University of Minnesota, and finished her education at the University of Oklahoma. Myrna held a bachelor’s degree in mathematics, a master’s degree in guidance and counseling and a Ph.D. in educational psychology.
Myrna’s first professional job was as Dean of Women at Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina, Kansas, at the age of 23. In 1966, Myrna transferred to Oklahoma University as Assistant Dean of Women, later becoming assistant director of residential programs and director of educational services. She retired in 2008 as Assistant Dean of University College, a position she held for 24 years.
Myrna’s job was very rewarding in that she was able to advise students to help them realize their potential and to guide them to achieve their educational goals and career objectives. She felt very rewarded when she was able to see some of her students achieve remarkable success. Many of her students personally returned to express their appreciation for her guidance.
Myrna had a strong belief in the one true God and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Myrna credited her strong work ethic, her educational success and her honesty to her humble rural farm beginnings.
Myrna had a great love for her family. She is survived by two sisters, Marilyn Harrel and her husband, Jimmy of Leedey, Oklahoma, and Glenda Cravens of Putnam, Oklahoma. A long time trusted friend and companion, Maureen Murphy of Norman. She is also survived by two nieces, Keela Terry and her husband, David of Weatherford, Oklahoma, Serena Kauk and her husband Michael of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, two nephews, Randy Cravens and his wife, Karen of Putnam, Oklahoma, and Monty Cravens and his wife, Lisa of Thomas, Oklahoma. She is also survived by a number of great nieces and nephews, and a host of longtime friends and work associates. In addition to her parents, Myrna was predeceased by 2 brothers, Norval (Bud) Carney and Garry Carney, 1 sister-in-law, Patricia Carney and 1 brother-in-law, Jay Cravens.
In lieu of flowers the family requests any memorial donations to be made to any of Myrna’s favorite organizations:
The Cleveland County Family YMCA, 1350 Lexington St., Norman, OK 73069
Women’s Resource Center, 222 E. Eufaula St., Norman, OK 73069
The Virtue Center, 215 West Linn St., Norman, OK 73069
The Leedey Education Foundation, c/o Leedey School, P.O. Box 67, Leedey, OK 73654