Elizabeth M Criswell's Obituary
Criswell, Elizabeth M was born on October 27, 1938 in Houston, Texas and was called home to be with the Lord on Friday, June 14, 2013 following complications from emergency back surgery. She passed away peacefully, surrounded by her husband, children and grandchildren at Presbyterian Hospital in Plano, Texas. Elizabeth was born of profoundly deaf parents, Leon L. Myatt and Selma Gertrude Fitze. As a young child she learned the skills of interpreting for deaf individuals, a career which she pursued until her passing. Elizabeth became a nationally recognized expert on deafness holding Master’s level certification, the highest attainable in the United States. Was a certified legal interpreter and was highly sought after as an interpreter of medical and mental health court cases. Elizabeth was the founding Executive Director of Deaf Action Center in Dallas, Texas and served on its Board of Directors until her death. She served, since its inception, on the state Board of Evaluators of Interpreters of the Texas Commission for the Deaf. She brought the world of deafness to television in Dallas-Fort Worth homes in the 1960’s with the first sign language interpreted newscasts. Trained at the New York Psychiatric Institute and Southwestern Medical School she was a skilled counselor of those who are deaf and hard of hearing, was a founding director of ELF Communications which produced seminars and recorded training for sign language interpreters. She was a consultant and first non physician member of the medical-technical board of the Arthritis Foundation and the Lupus Foundation. Elizabeth was also named national Volunteer of the Year, by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and presented with the individual achievement award by the Freedoms Foundation, Valley Forge Honor Society. Nevertheless, she considered her greatest honor being called “MY Mimi” by her seven grand children. Elizabeth is survived by her husband, John P. Criswell; brother, Ronnie J. Myatt and his wife Jean; daughters, Kendra Leigh Branden and Karen Ann Drennan; step- daughters, Katherine Elaine Criswell and Julie Elizabeth Govan; and grandchildren, Adam John Drennan, Andrew Myatt Drennan, Devon Criswell Finninger, Rachel Elizabeth Finninger, Nicole Leigh Finninger, Christopher Lake Finninger and Michelle Grace Finninger all of Dallas, Texas Favorite Scripture: “Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus.” Phil. 3:13-14 I really love this verse. It constantly reminds me that this world is not my home and I am only passing through. All that I think, say and do must reflect this truth. I must remain faithful, obedient and committed to Jesus Visitation will be from 5:30 to 8:30 PM on Thursday, June 20, 2013 at Restland Funeral Home. Services will be at 12:30 PM on Friday, June 21, 2013 at Prestonwood Baptist Church Plano, Texas.
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