Myers, Dr. Ira L.

Myers, Dr. Ira L.

Well-known Alabama Baptist Dr. Ira L. Myers, of Montgomery, died July 23. He was 84.

Myers, Alabama’s state health officer from 1963 to 1986, was the longest-serving health officer in the state’s history. The Alabama Public Health Association’s Award for Excellence in Public Health is named in his honor.

He held a bachelor’s degree from Howard College (now Samford University) in Birmingham, doctor of medicine degree from the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham and master of public health degree from Harvard University in Massachusetts.

Myers was a member of Dalraida Baptist Church, Montgomery, in Montgomery Baptist Association for more than 50 years and served as deacon and chairman of the finance committee.

He was the father of Baptist representative Dr. Martha Myers, who was killed while working in a Baptist hospital in Yemen in 2002.

Ira Myers was preceded in death by his first wife, Dorothy, and his daughter Martha. He is survived by his second wife, Woodie; three children; and a number of grandchildren and great-grandchildren. (TAB)