Miriam Ishmael Obituary

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Miriam Elene Ishmael, 89, of Terlingua, Texas, went home to be with the Lord on April 30, 2025, in El Paso, Texas. Her life was a long 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 and 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 friend or neighbor. She was kind, caring, compassionate and outspoken. Her abiding faith and love of Jesus Chris carried her through to the end of life. She loved to shop and cook “Bajan” dishes, after spending the day shopping in Alpine a happily greeting 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 sister and older brother lived to continue her studies obtaining a nursing degree, a BSN from Geo 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, 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. Nieces Grace Sandiford, 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 God Daughter Julia, Priscilla, Melvin, Henrison, Adelbert, Orville and Duane James.

Visitation with family viewing will begin at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 17, 2025, at Grace Christian Fellowship, 801 E Brown Ave Alpine, Texas, with the funeral service to start at 12:00 PM and burial to follow at Holy Angels Cemetery. A memorial service will be held the following day at 11:00 AM, Sunday, May 18, 2025 at Terlingua Bible Church in Terlingua, Texas.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Alpine Memorial Funeral Home in Alpine, Texas.

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