Myrna Smith of ‘Elvis Presley’ “Sweet Inspirations” Passed Away
December 26, 2010 by Esteban "Steven" Escobar
Filed under Breaking News, Featured, News
It is very sad to inform to all you our readers the we received an email today around 7:00 am from Myrna Smith of ‘Elvis Presley’ “Sweet Inspirations” brother John Utley’s friend stating the she have passed away on December 24, 2010 at 11:45 PM. Myrna was leaving her last moments in her house in Winnetka, California with her brother John Smith. Per our conversation with John’s friend they will held her services at the end of January and they expect Whitney Houston and Lisa Marie Presley will attend to the memorial services. Myrna also worked with Aretha Franklin.
On Lisa Marie & Presley Dynasty Official Fan Site Blog at http://lisamariepresleyfamily.blogspot.com/ reported on Saturday, December 25, 2010 stating “It is with deep sadness that we inform you all that Myrna Smith, singer of Elvis’Sweet Inspirations, has passed away last night. She was hospitalised with acute kidney failure and waiting for a kidney transplant. May she rest in peace and our thoughts are with her friends and loved ones.” Also http://www.rareelvispresley.com/ reports the Myrna’s body will be cremated and hope plans to be made to celebrate Myrna’s life. 
http://www.classicpopicons.com also reported on their site: “The Sweet Inspirations had evolved from the Gospelaires group, whose members had included Myrna’s cousins Dionne and Dee Dee Warwick, Doris Troy and Judy Guions (later Judy Clay). The group were in demand for session work with many great artists, including Solomon Burke, Wilson Pickett and the Drifters. Myrna replaced Dee Dee in 1965 after she left to pursue a solo career, and Estelle Brown also joined around the same time. Dionne and Doris were replaced by Cissy Houston and Sylvia Shemwell, respectively.” They continue “In 1967, the group was signed to Atlantic as the Sweet Inspirations. Their first release was a cover of “Why (Am I Treated So Bad)” and it was a top 40 hit on the R&B charts. The groups most successful song was “Sweet Inspiration”, which was cut during a two-day session at American Sound in Memphis in August 1967. The track hit number five on the R&B chart and was a top 20 pop hit.” There is also a Facebook Fan Page created for Myrna Smith at: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Myrna-Smith-of-Elvis-Sweet-Inspirations-We-love-and-support-you/139863766051471 In a personal close note, it is very sad for me to heard this sad news and share it with all you because I worked with Myrna at her residence in Winnetka, CA for couple hours one day and I can tell you the she was very nice person, generous and appreciated every one who worked with her. I was hoping to see her again, but now until next time and Rest In Peace. Megan M. Murphy from http://backinmemphis.blogspot.com/ wrote stating: “Elvis Presley Enterprises finally acknowledged Myrna Smith of The Sweet Inspirations. Today, 3 days after her passing they sent out their fan club newsletter with this blurb at the bottom (No photo, no personal sentiment): Remembering Myrna Smith We regret to inform you of the passing of Myrna Smith on Friday night, Christmas Eve. Myrna was singer and song-writer, and a member of the group Sweet Inspirations, who recorded and performed with Elvis Presley from 1969-1977. She also sang back-up for other stars including Dusty Springfield and Aretha Franklin. Along with their professional relationship, Myrna and Elvis were also close friends. Our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.” 
About Myrna Smith: Myrna Smith (1941 – December 24, 2010)[1] was an American songwriter and singer, who co-wrote many of the songs for Carl Wilson‘s 1981 solo album Carl Wilson, as well as a few of the songs on his 1983 solo album Youngblood. She was also a member of the Sweet Inspirations, which previously served as Elvis Presley‘s backing group.[2] Smith became a high school English teacher in South Brunswick, New Jersey in the 1960s, while she also pursued her singing career. The lead singer of her group, The Sweet Inspirations, was Cissy Houston, the mother of Whitney Houston. She died on December 24, 2010, in Canoga Park, California, after an illness, at the age of 69.[1] Sources: http://lisamariepresleyfamily.blogspot.com, Wikipedia, classicpopicons.com, http://backinmemphis.blogspot.com/and http://www.rareelvispresley.com/
Editor’s Note: As of this posting we have spoken again to Myrna’s brother John Utley’s friend to get John Utley to speak with us and we will let you know as soon he is able. Please come back to find out the plans on how Myrna will be honored by her family and close friends.
About Esteban Escobar
Executive Editor In Chief, Director of Public/Media Relations & Community Affairs, Sales, Reporter, Webmaster & Graphic Designer Specialist. About Esteban “Steven” Escobar: Esteban A. Escobar (born in El Salvador, Central America on September 6th) is an Award Winning American (Journalist, reporter, editor, columnist, writer, producer, director, publicist, radio personality, accounts receivable specialist, humanitarian and philanthropist). Esteban is known as Steven Escobar. He is the Executive Editor-In-Chief of Diversity News Magazine, an online & special print consumer news magazine that is visited by close to two million visitors a month while growing each day. Esteban “Steven” Escobar is also Producer, Director of Diversity News TV, the host of Diversity News Radio, on Air with Steven Escobar and the President of Diversity News Publications, a news/entertainment multimedia firm in Hollywood, CA. Steven Escobar owns E.E.Enterprises and an affiliate of The Diversity News Publications Family of Companies. Steven Escobar is also the official Hollywood and Los Angeles County Events Examiner for Examiner.com and contributor for Yahoo.com distributed via Yahoo Voices. Steven Escobar also gives back to the community by helping charities, and since 2003 to the present, he has been raising money and awareness for AIDS Walk LA benefiting AIDS Project Los Angeles. Also in 2011 Steven Escobar raised money and awareness for The Life Group LA and volunteered for Exotifit For Humanity and The Human Rights Campaign Los Angeles Steering Committee. Steven was nominated for The Shorty Awards 2011 and the People’s Choice Fan Award 2012. In 2012 Steven Escobar receives the Humanitarian Award at the 2012 International Noble Awards. Also on June 2, 2012 Steven Escobar Received the Community and Humanitarian Services Award at Kayamanan ng Bayan for all his contributions to the Filipino American community in Southern California. On 12-12-12 Steven Escobar received Award for Most Fascinating Person of the Year 2012. On 2-22-2013 Steven Escobar is nominated for a 2013 EOTM Award (Entrepreneurs on the Move) for Outstanding Journalist and on April 25, 2013 receives nomination for 2013 EOTM Award for Outstanding Internet Radio. On April 4, 2013 Steven Escobar receives award for Diversity News TV “Best B-Roll." Yahoo.com names Steven Escobar the Hot 500 contributors during the month of March 2012 of Yahoo! Contributor Network. Steven Escobar currently resides in Los Angeles County in the City of Hollywood, CA. For more information visithttp://www.stevenescobar.diversitynewspublications.com, http://www.stevenescobar.blogspot.com or his IMDB at http://www.imdb.com/name/nm4164655/
