Myrtle Ann (Strong) Yarbrough was the fifth of seven children born on Thursday, December 29, 1949, to the late Henry and Annie Mae Strong in Phoenix, IL.  Myrtle received her formal education at Coolidge Elementary School in Phoenix, IL and Thornton High School in Harvey, IL.

Myrtle met and married the late Willie Yarbrough on January 30, 1965. They remained good friends until his death in 2018.

In August of 1978, Myrtle heard the call of God and obeyed Acts 2:38. She was baptized in the Name of Jesus and received the gift of the Holy Ghost, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, at Robbins Apostolic Faith Church in Robbins, IL, under the pastorate of the late District Elder James T. Robinson. There, she became a highly active member and became known as Sister Yarbrough. While still residing in Illinois, Sister Yarbrough attended Midwest Apostolic Bible College (k/n/a D.R. Bell Apostolic Bible College) to further her Christian education and knowledge of the Bible.

In November of 1989, Sister Yarbrough relocated to Hopkinsville, KY, to be near her only sister, Lovey. Sister Yarbrough later joined Christ Temple Christian Life Center of Hopkinsville (f/k/a Christ Temple Apostolic Ministries) under the pastorate of the late Elder Grover Johnson, Sr., until the Lord called him home in 2008. She continued to serve under former Pastor District Elder Victor L. Greene, Sr., and now under the pastorate of Suffragan Bishop Melvyn Y. Little, Jr., along with his wife Lady Gail Little. Although Sister Yarbrough enjoyed being a mother to her four children, she took great pride in becoming the Mother of the church, graciously embracing the title, Mother Yarbrough.

As a faithful church member, Mother Yarbrough served in many capacities during her membership at both Robbins and Christ Temple. She drove the church van to pick up the saints for Sunday School, volunteered with her church's food pantry, served as Church Secretary, Sunday School Teacher, Director of Christian Education, and as the Usher Board President. She was also a very active member of Women of Worship. One of her favorite pastimes was studying Sunday School Lessons and challenging her students while teaching those lessons each Sunday.

A few of Mother Yarbrough's favorite songs, in which she enjoyed listening and singing along to, were: " Look Where He Brought Me From, " " He looked Beyond My Faults ," " The Blood Will Never Lose its Power," "Emmanuel ,"  " Open the Eyes of My Heart ," " Flow to You ," and finally, " I Can Only Imagine."

Mother Yarbrough was employed at the Dana Corporation (k/n/a Metalsa) for twenty-two years before retiring in 2012. After retirement, she joined the Senior's Program and worked briefly at Goodwill and the Salvation Army.

Anyone who knew Mother Yarbrough, knew she was quick to offer correction to a mispronounced word or a misquoted bible verse. She was an avid Jeopardy fan, a whiz at crossword puzzles, and a fierce trivia competitor.  However, many were unaware of Mother Yarbrough's gift and talent for writing exceptionally good poems.

Mother Yarbrough thoroughly enjoyed spending time with the Saints, her siblings, nieces and nephews, but especially with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. These times were always filled with good food, laughter, teasing, game-playing, and the capturing of these moments via pictures and videos.

After a lengthy illness, the Lord called Mother Yarbrough home on Monday, April 10, 2023, with family by her side. Mother Yarbrough was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Henry Strong, Jr.; and one grandchild, baby Hollowell.

Fond memories of Mother Yarbrough will be cherished by her three daughters, Denise L. Shepard of Indian Trail, NC, Willette Y. (James) Cooper of Joliet, IL, and Alicia M. (Argusta) Smith of Kenosha, WI; one son, David A. (Keilan) Hollowell of Hopkinsville, KY; two granddaughters, Candace Q. (James) Powell of Indian Trail, NC and Symone M. (Joshua) Baldwin of Waukesha, WI; three great-grandchildren, Audrey D. Powell, Kenton J. Powell and Royce P. Powell, all of Indian Trail, NC; one sister, Lovey Jean (Jimmie) Rogers of Cadiz, KY; four brothers, Melvin J. Strong, Sr. of Crest Hill, IL, Nathan Strong of Oceanside, CA, David "Billy" Strong of Phoenix, IL, and Dennis (Karen) Strong of Houston, TX; one special great-niece, Andrea Holmes of Hopkinsville, KY; her extended family that include the Williams family, the Shepard family, and the Cooper family; long time special friends from her hometown that include Mary (Alfred) Jackson of Cedar Lake, IN and Arthur Williams of Phoenix, IL; special friends from the Hopkinsville, KY area that include the Rogers family, Lowell Hollowell, the Hollowell family, Sister Beverly Watkins-LeRoy, Sister Veronique Greene, Pastor Lolita Wimberly, the Powell family, Diane Wilson, Sheila Croney; twin Goddaughters, LaShara and LaShauna Shaw of Plainfield, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, saints and friends.