Luncheon Program At Third Baptist Celebrates Life & Legacy of Ambassador Bismarck Myrick

Special to the New Journal and Guide
PORTSMOUTH

Family, friends, and community members came together to honor the late U.S. Ambassador Bismarck Myrick at a first-year remembrance program held in his memory. The event, organized by his widow, Marie Pierre Myrick, was a vibrant and joyful celebration – reflecting the way Ambassador Myrick lived his life and the legacy he leaves behind.

Mrs. Myrick emphasized that the gathering should be fun, playful, and an opportunity to meet new people. True to that vision, the program combined moments of reverence with lighthearted fellowship, echoing the spirit of the man being remembered.

The program was carefully designed around the values and passions that best represented Ambassador Myrick:

• Faithfulness: Honoring his spiritual foundation at Third Baptist Church of Portsmouth, where he was baptized.

• Friendship: Rev. Dr. Calvin Snydor, a longtime friend since his Army service, offered a moving guitar solo of Amazing Grace.

• Music: Vocalist Becky Livas shared a heartfelt a cappella performance, recalling Ambassador Myrick’s admiration for her voice upon his return to Hampton Roads.

• Community: Carolyn Cannon, sister of his beloved classmate Shirley Lassiter, participated in the celebration of enduring bonds.

• Fellowship: Chef Gene Breckenridge, a close friend prepared the meal for the occasion.

Adding to the spirit of fun that defined his personality, the program included karaoke and a quiz about Ambassador Myrick in place of formal testimonies. These activities sparked laughter and storytelling, reminding attendees of his warmth, humor, and gift for bringing people together.

The gathering drew participants from Africa, Atlanta, Boston, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Hampton Roads, Richmond, and beyond. His classmates from I.C. Norcom High School, friends from local universities, his bowling league, and colleagues from across the years united to honor his memory.

The remembrance served not only as a tribute to Ambassador Myrick’s distinguished career and enduring legacy but also as a powerful reminder of his lasting impact on every life he touched. His love of people, his faith, and his unwavering commitment to community continue to inspire those who knew him.

Ambassador Myrick, who passed on September 29, 2024, was a Portsmouth native and I.C. Norcom alumnus, Class of 1959. His monumental service career included the U.S. Army with stations in Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Germany and Ethiopia.  Upon his honorable discharge from the Army, he joined the U.S. Foreign Service, where he was, nominated by U.S. Presidents, to serve as Ambassador to the Kingdom of Lesotho in 1995 and the Republic of Liberia in 1999.  He also led the U.S. Diplomatic Mission in Durban, South Africa.  When he retired from the foreign service, Ambassador Myrick taught at Old Dominion University for over twenty-two years.

As one attendee reflected, “Bismarck brought us together, and because of his love, we must stay together.”