Myla Dee (Rusie) Smith, 70, died Monday, Jan. 16, 2006, at Franklin Meadows in Franklin after a 20-year struggle with breast cancer. She was a resident of Franklin since 1960. She was born Oct. 14, 1935, in Mooresville. Her parents were Forest Glendon and Joy Neva (Myrick) Rusie.

Survivors include two children, Brian D. Smith(and wife Marcella Fleming) of New Whiteland, and Cyndi Pote (and boyfriend Brent Bennett) of Franklin; two grandsons, Brian Pote (and wife Lucy) of Franklin and Jon Pote of Greenwood; a granddaughter, Autumn Pote of Franklin; and former husband Elmore Smith of Seymour. She was preceded in death by a sister, Gay R. Popp; and a brother, Kenyon Rusie.

Myla was an award-winning artist and a former columnist for the now-defunct Franklin Evening Star. She illustrated two books, "Bearby the Knight" and "Bout Firteen Country Childern Rimes," and operated her own desktop publishing business, CompuSolve partners, for 13 years. She also worked at the Daily Journal, American States Insurance and Indiana Statewide REMC, and was a freelance proofreader for several companies. She was an avid bowler at Hi-Way Lanes, and was elected to the Franklin bowling hall of fame. 
from C. Bennett on FindaGrave