Myrtle Elizabeth Potter, 87, of Haines, lifetime Haines resident and retired postmistress, died Thursday evening at the Cedar Manor Nursing Home following a long illness. The funeral service for Mrs. Potter was conducted at 2:00 p.m. Monday, Oct.1, at Gray’s West & Co. Pioneer Chapel. Rev. Don Carpenter of the Baptist Church in Haines officiated. Interment followed in the family plot at Haines Cemetery.
Mrs. Potter was born Oct. 7, 1891, in Haines the daughter of James Oliver and Nancy Ann Hand Maxwell. She attended the Muddy Creek School and was graduated as class valedictorian. She attended Linfield College and Eastern Oregon College and earned a lifetime teaching certificate.
She began teaching at Muddy Creek in 1925, where she taught 5 years. Teaching assignments followed at Mt. Carmel, Plano near Durkee, and at Haines.
She applied for the Haines postmastership and her appointment was made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
She served as postmistress for a quarter of a century and retired at the mandatory age of seventy years in 1961. She served on the Muddy Creek Fair Board in 1930, originated the 4-H movement in Haines and once held the position of county director of the National Assoc. of Postmasters.
Red Cross, Community Chest, War Bonds, and other charitable organizations also received her assistance.
She was married to Thomas Christensen in Haines October 20, 1910. He preceded her in death on June 23, 1922. On September 9, 1939 she was married to Douglas Potter in LaGrande. Mr. Potter preceded her in death on July 5, 1965.
She was a lifetime member of the Haines Baptist Church. She was also a longtime Rebekah Lodge member and Past Noble Grand of the Lodge. She was a member of the Haines Mutual Improvement Club and a Charter member of the Eastern Oregon Museum Assoc.
Survivors include her two daughters, Alta Rose Moore of Union and Myrtle Marie Carroll of Unity; a step-daughter, Jeannette Driesbach of Tigard; two brothers, Glenn Maxwell and Omer Maxwell both of Haines; two sisters, Olga Ward of Haines and Rose Bishop of Las Vegas; six grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She was also preceded in death by one grandson, four brothers, and one sister.
The family has suggested that friends who wish may contribute to the Haines Baptist Church Memorial Fund in her memory. This may be done through Gray’s West & Co.
The Record Courier, Baker City, Oregon, October, 1979
Contributed by: Belva Ticknor