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Myra Ann Tolbert (Myrahbinghi Tafari Afrika), born October 18, 1949, was proceeded in death by her son Keith Levelle Tolbert, her brother Robert Clinton Tolbert, Jr., and her parents Bernice Dezell Smith and Robert Clinton Tolbert.
A daughter of the Great Migration, Myra was raised on the South Side of Chicago and heeded the call of her generation to go west, landing in San Francisco’s Haight-Ashbury in the early 1970s. There she began a career in social services, first as a social worker in the San Francisco Sheriff’s Department of Corrections, then later, working for the social justice organization Friends Outside. After returning to her hometown, she continued her work in the non-profit sector with Ignite (formerly Teen Living Program), an organization that serves teens experiencing homelessness.
Myra was a free spirit who embraced adventure, whether it took her to Yosemite or Ethiopia, and, she loved connecting with people. She was a natural teacher who brought light and hope into the lives she touched. Music fed her spirit and she would often spontaneously burst into song. She departed this world on May 27, 2020.
She is remembered fondly by the chosen family of lifelong friends that she created in California and Chicago, her worldwide Rastafari community, and by her surviving children Acquanetta Tolbert, Timothy Tolbert, Stacy Tolbert MacSwain, and Aja Tolbert Linderson. She leaves behind fourteen grandchildren [Emanuel, Brittany, Timothy Jr., Derrick, Kiara, Sadiq, Nayah, Cole, Abby, Keith, Africa, CJ, Cameran, and Jamiir], and, four great-grandchildren [Sky, Kaiden, Kartier, and Nova].
To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Myra’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.MichiganCremation.com
Cremation arrangements are entrusted to Michigan Cremation & Funeral Care, Grand Rapids, 616-452-3006.
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Myra my sister-in-law mother or should I say my nephews grandmother. The time Myra spent in Houston I gain a knowledgeable friend. When she told a story I would want to hear more. We would meditate and be up all night cracking up. Not ever knowing this day would come for Myra so soon. Why I say that cause she left without making my devil eggs. She would make them eggs and if it was any leftovers you was out of luck. Cause I was eating those. She would say who ate all the eggs.. Aja would say you know who ate the eggs.. 😂 I wish we could have spent that last laugh together before you went to home.
R.I.P. Myra
Love ya
Hi Mrs. Myra i know you don’t know me but, i know you raised a strong independent Queen RIP Beautiful😍
To the family of Myra/Myrahbinghi. She was many things to a lot of people. She left a legacy of nurturer, friend, creativity, energy, inspiration and love. She will live on in this world through the memories she made with all those whose life she touched including mine.
I just have to say that Myrah was definitely family to me and I will never forget her or the radiant SUNSHINE she left behind everytime I seen her. I have so many memories of her that I will always hold onto!!!! She was and IS A BRILLIANT, STRONG, BEAUTIFUL, AND INTELLECTUAL WOMAN!!!! I LOVE YOU MYRAH….you touched so many lives in your own lifetime!!!! Fly HIGH with JAI!!!! Auntie!!!! Fly HIGH!!!!
I was truly lost for words when I heard you where gone…my first though where you and Finnie and my mom back together again. You will truly be missed.