Miriam Elene Ishmael, 89, of Terlingua, went home to be with the Lord on April 30 in El Paso. Her life was a remarkable journey of growth, change, and adaptability. A lifelong deeply devout Christian, she openly shared her love for the Lord in “praise” songs that she joyfully wrote and sang. She was a published author of poems and spiritual essays, encouraging everyone to love and care for each other.

Miriam was born in St Philips Parish, Barbados, West Indies, on November 21, 1935, to Ione Albertha (nee Squires) and Timothy Gladstone Ishmael, the third of nine children. She was raised in a Christian home with regular church attendance and adherence

to Biblical principles. She recalled her mother as a kind, loving, caring woman and a wonderful cook. Christmas was always special. Her minister father worked as a tailor; he was a disciplinarian with a sense of humor. She had vocal and speech issues as a child, but loved drawing and writing. She completed high school and trained as a dressmaker, demonstrating creative skills and designs in wedding attire and apparel.

Miriam will be remembered dearly and lovingly missed by everyone who was fortunate to meet her and could call her a friend or neighbor. She was kind, caring, compassionate, and outspoken. Her abiding faith and love of Jesus Christ carried her through to the end of life. She loved to shop and cook “Bajan” dishes. After spending the day shopping in Alpine, she happily greeted everyone she knew. She was a member of Terlingua Bible Church with Pastor Jerry and Donna Enmon.

She made a lifelong friend, Ruth James, an educator from the Commonwealth of Dominica, with whom she shared a deep bond and religious faith while also gaining an extended family. Mrs. James encouraged her further educational pursuits and medical care for Miriam’s vocal problems, which were addressed in Manchester, England, where she also became certified in Midwifery. She subsequently moved to Toronto, Canada, where three of her younger sisters and older brother lived to continue her studies, obtaining a nursing degree and a BSN from George Brown College of Applied Arts and Technology. Miriam made many friends in Canada and became a citizen, but the cold Canadian winters led to emigration to the United States via St Thomas, Virgin Islands. Thereafter, she moved to West Texas, worked as a Licensed Registered Nurse in several cities, sought permanent U.S. residency, and eventually became a U S citizen. During the period of “Y2K,” she retired and settled in Terlingua. Miriam was enthralled by the majestic beauty around her; she bought a piano and took the moniker “Desert Lady vowing to never leave, always basking in the companionship of her various cats.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Ione and Timothy Ishmael, her brother Wilbert (Barbara) Ishmael, and her sisters Vernita (Rueben) Briggs, Cicely, and Sheila Ishmael.

She is survived by her brother Charles (Patricia) Ishmael, her sisters Marguerite (Carlton) Howell, Jean, and Patricia Ishmael in Canada and Barbados, her Nieces Grace Sandiford and Sharon Howell, and nephews Ronald Ishmael, Rueben Briggs, Jr., and Adrian Howell. Also, her extended family, the James’, including Anne (Harold) Piper, Meldora (Keith) Beckwith, her Goddaughter Julia, Priscilla, Melvin, Henrison, Adelbert, Orville, and Duane James.

Visitation with family viewing will begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, at Grace Christian Fellowship, 801 E Brown Ave, Alpine. The funeral service will start at 12 p.m., and burial will follow at Holy Angels Cemetery. A memorial service will be held the following day at 11 a.m., Sunday, May 18, at Terlingua Bible Church in Terlingua.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home.