Margaret P Murfee

Published 2:03 pm Friday, April 18, 2014

Margaret P Murfee

On the morning of April 8, 2014, Margaret Porter Murfee was reunited in heaven with her Savior and many loved ones who have gone before.

While her 71 year old body gave way to the ravages of esophageal cancer, her fiercely independent spirit fought on to the end. She was hopeful of writing thank-you notes until the day before she died, insisting that she would do this task herself. She very much appreciated those who sent love notes and flowers, as well as many friends and family who came to visit.

Her life will be celebrated on Wednesday, April 23 in Prattville, Alabama. The Commendation at graveside will be held at 11:00 am at Prattville Memorial Gardens.

The memorial funeral will be held at 1:15 pm at First Presbyterian Church of Prattville, Alabama.

Born on November 6, 1942 in Alabama, Margaret was the first child of McQueen Smith Murfee and Vivian Reynolds Murfee, followed by siblings Susan McQueen Murfee Rogers and McQueen Smith (“Smitty”) Murfee, Jr. Margaret was raised on her parents’ beautiful farm near Prattville, Alabama where she was educated in the local schools there. Later, she attended Queens College in Charlotte, NC (1961-63), followed by the University of Alabama (1963-65) where she enjoyed her Kappa Delta Sorority and graduated with a degree in Education.

After graduation, Margaret pursued careers in education, art, cultural tourism, and real estate in Birmingham, AL, Atlanta, GA, Fort Walton, FL and Charleston, SC., the latter being her home for twenty years and where she greatly appreciated many strong friendships.

Margaret joined her sister’s family (Susan and Jay Rogers) in Wichita Falls, TX in 2003, and she made a new home at Rolling Meadows Retirement Center. While in Wichita Falls, she pursued her interests in music, art, history, spectator sports, and volunteering at hospice. She was blessed by her church family, the choir members, and numerous Bible study friendships at First Presbyterian Church. Her Wichita Falls friendship circle was both wide and deep with friends from Rolling Meadows and their various churches.

Margaret was blessed with musical talent and was once an accomplished pianist.

She had an eye for beauty and art. She painted country landscapes on occasion. Her major interest in life was her friends, getting together for study or simple conversation. She remained close with friends from her youth, and they continued to be very important to her.

She is preceded in death by her parents McQueen Smith, Sr. and Vivian Reynolds Murfee (originally from Birmingham) and brother McQueen Smith Murfee Jr. and sister-in-law Dianne Bradbury Murfee. Margaret’s maternal grandparents were Mary Porter Reynolds and Joseph Moore Reynolds of Birmingham. Her paternal grandparents were Hopson Owen Murfee and Mary McQueen Smith Murfee of Prattville.

Survivors include sister Susan McQueen Rogers and her husband James of Wichita Falls, and niece Rosalyn McQueen Wilson and her husband W. Scott Wilson and great nieces Caroline McQueen, Catherine Claire, Lillie Vivian of Cincinatti, OH , and Anne Hartley of Houston. Margaret also leaves behind her brother’s children, Melissa (Murfee) Lipscomb and her husband Jim Lipscomb, Laura (Murfee) Brown and her husband Bill, and Brad Murfee and his wife Allison. Each has two children, and Margaret treasured their Christmas photos all through the year. Margaret’s family of origin, especially her aunts, uncles and first cousins, were the backbone of her life through many seasons, some of which were very difficult while others were dear and precious. Their strong love of family gave her a special place in everyone’s heart.

According to Margaret’s wishes, memorial gifts may go to Marion Military Institute (Marion, Alabama) or the American Cancer Society.