Myra Emerson

April 14, 1942 - June 7, 2025

Myra Emerson passed away June 7, 2025, at home in Chapel Hill, NC. She was born April 14, 1942 in Owensville, Indiana, the daughter of Myron Emerson and Olga Berger Emerson. Myra received a bachelor's degree from the University of Illinois, a Master’s degree and a JD degree, with distinction, from the University of Iowa and also attended Indiana University and Vermont Law School. Her passionate interests throughout her adult life were preserving the environment, promoting social justice, and practicing tai chi. Most recently she worked editing papers submitted to academic journals. A sister, Engrid Emerson Vaughan, preceded her in death. She is survived by her brother, Quentin Emerson, her husband, David Reed, her sons Gregory Emerson and Glen Brown, her daughters, Cara Meilus (Al) and Deeadra Brown (Avi Bornstein), and her grandchildren, Emily Meilus, Aziza Bornstein-Brown, and Naeem Bornstein-Brown. We all loved Myra and will miss her wit, enthusiasm, and compassion, and the profound love she gave us. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to farmaid.org or 350.org.