In loving memory of Mrs. Myrick, Thank you for being one of my biggest Hermitage cheerleaders through the last 17 years. I remember when my family first moved Virginia Beach and I went to a neighboring elementary school and would ride the bus over after school and you would help greet me to my Mom. You always made sure there were Hershey chocolate bars for me upfront at your desk - my favorite. Later on that turned into me being able to drive to visit and being able to let myself in and you were the first one smiling at me as I came through the doors of Hermitage. Thank you for introducing me to your daughter Taylor, where I got to be one of her brand ambassadors for Coastal Charm. Thank you for being one of my cheerleaders during my high school sports and through my academic journey at Virginia Tech. You were one of my Mom’s Hermitage BFFs which she treasured your alls friendship very much. We love and miss you very much. With love, Cayla Katz

🌊 In Loving Memory of Beverly Myrick 💙 "Keep your face always toward the sunshine, and the shadows will fall behind you." – Walt Whitman It’s impossible to sum up someone as vibrant, giving, and unforgettable as Beverly in just one post—but if you knew her, you know she was the kind of person who left sunshine wherever she went. Beverly was truly the heartbeat of an army of friends—a radiant soul who made everyone feel like the most important person in the room. She was the very first person to greet me with a smile and warmth when I joined the staff of Hermitage Elementary in 2008. That smile never faded. It only grew stronger, more welcoming, more genuine. She became one of my most treasured friends. She wore many hats: wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, daughter in law, aunt, volunteer, mentor, leader, beach enthusiast, and friend. And she wore them all with grace. She was a devoted and loving wife to Brian Myrick ("Biggie"), proud mom to beautiful and talented Taylor Grulke, cherished mother-in-law to Justin Grulke who she loved like a son, adoring and doting grandma to sweet Wesley, proud aunt to Spencer, DogMom to Chuck and Doug, beloved sister and sister-in-law, and a tireless advocate and friend to so many. I told her often that she literally had an army of friends that stretched far and wide. I was proud to be in Bev's army. 💙 I would say I was a proud card-carrying member...in Bev's army, we all are. Bev’s love for the ocean ran deep—just like her love for people. She made beach enjoyment and preservation a lifelong mission. As the passionate founder and leader of the Hermitage Elementary Ecology Club, she inspired students and staff alike with her monthly beach cleanups and creative conservation awareness projects. From oyster farm field trips to student-led “Ecology Readers” and stunning hallway displays, she taught kids not just to care for the environment, but to love it. 🏖 Her energy and kindness extended far beyond school. Beverly was a beacon of strength in her volunteer leadership with Relay for Life 💜 and devotion to childhood cancer research. Her unwavering support for the Derick the Defeater - Wrapped in Strength Project - WISP project honoring a former student of mine was inspiring. Bev also honored and cherished Sarah's Journey, another deep connection with a student and friend. She believed in lifting others—and she did, every single day. She was also the queen of fun and silliness, founding the legendary 401 Club (office closes at 4:00, so happy hour could theoretically be at 4:01 somewhere, right?) and organizing endless travel adventures and gatherings. Whether dressing up as a dinosaur 🦕 and dropping off goodies at my house as well as other friends' homes, photobombing with a surprise selfie, or rallying with her Coastal Charm shuffleboard team over the years, Bev was always living joy out loud. She built a community that stuck—because she was the glue. Her beach house, Avalon Crush, was more than just a dream come true—it was a haven of laughter, stories, and orange crushes (including her creative redesign of the mermaid cornhole boards I gave her). It was Bev in a nutshell: clever, colorful, and full of life. She even helped others shine—like connecting Cayla Katz to Taylor’s Coastal Charm business to become a brand ambassador, and always asking about our children, Cayla and Cameron Katz, with genuine love and care. She was always asking about my family and Robert Katz , and we shared many stories and many connections. Those conversations were heartfelt and sacred, with a splashes of silliness. Breakfast or brunch with Bev was a sacred tradition we shared. Whether we met at Bay Local, The Bee & The Biscuit, or Citrus, she always knew her order: “banging balls” mini crabcakes 🦀 and a Madras Crush 🍹. She lived for those moments—just being together, laughing, and sharing stories. Although she liked the crabcakes, I think she would order "banging balls," just to be able to say that. 🙂 In the summers, I would sometimes deliver an order of them to her at work, just so I could say it too, announcing my entry "special delivery, banging balls," and of course, the Madras Crush would have to wait until after work. Friendship and fun... Bev led by example, especially at Hermitage Elementary. She masterminded the annual Variety Show so every child could shine in their own way. She brought magic to the front office and calm to the chaos. She had that rare ability to make things work—and make them beautiful in the process. And who could forget her Charleston Potato Soup recipe? A simple dish that has now become a comforting staple at our table—a little bit of Bev in every bite. She and I would talk about that recipe frequently, as if it was a hot gossip topic. Maybe it's really because potato soup is a comfort food and Bev always provided comfort to all of us. So now, in hindsight, it all makes sense. From her adventures from OBX to Maine, from hockey in New York to the streets of Nashville, from Tybee Island to New Orleans, and to our local adventures, Beverly lived well, loved much, and laughed often. She brought light to every room, joy to every heart, and peace to every storm. She was and is the sun ☀️, that bright light that brings the joy and fun. Bev, thank you—for your friendship, your adventurous and caring spirit, your compassion, your sparkle, your silliness, and your sand-between-the-toes soul. Thank you for being our glue, our cheerleader, and our sunshine. Thank you for showing us what true friendship looks like. We will miss you more than words can say. But your love lives on in every beach cleanup, every orange crush toast, every road trip memory, every story shared over brunch, every bite of potato soup, and every wave that kisses the shore. Your love lives within Brian, Taylor, Justin, and little Wesley, and your puppers, Chuck and Doug. I truly love you to the sun and back. Though the waves may carry us away, the memories of our time together will forever remain—like seashells on the shore. 💛🏖️ #ForBev #AvalonCrushForever #LiveWellLoveMuchLaughOften

I was so saddened to hear of Beverly’s passing. I pray God puts his loving arms around all of you and gives you comfort and peace. May her memories live on in all of you.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.