SARAH FRANCES STANLEY MURPHY
Sarah Frances Stanley Murphy, 83, died Oct. 30, 2020 at her home in Atlanta, Texas.
Sarah was born to Louis and Otelia (Lee) Stanley in Cass, Texas, on Feb. 20, 1937.
She was preceded in death by her parents, brothers and sister-in-law, Albert Louis and Eva Nell Stanley and Robert Franklin Stanley.
Survivors include her loving husband of 65 years, David L. Murphy of Atlanta, Texas; her children and spouses Sharon Beaudoin of Atlanta, Texas; Kay Hodges and her husband Marcus of Atlanta, Texas; David F. Murphy and his wife Charad of Ft. Worth; Suzanne Kies and her husband Kenny of Eudora, Kansas; and Paul Murphy and his wife Tammy of Corpus Christi, Texas. Sarah also raised and is survived by Ryan Murphy and his wife Bianca of Shreveport, Louisiana.
Sarah had fifteen grandchildren: Chad Wilson, Katy Hines, Ryan Murphy, Chelsey Wilson, Nicole Riley, Carly Allen, Sadie Costello, Kiersten Kies, Chloe Dyess, Aris Murphy, Brenna Murphy, Allison Miller, Breanne Lennard, Quin Vance, and Logan Murphy and 20 great-grandchildren with another on the way.
She is also survived by her brother, James P. Stanley and his wife Donna of Atlanta, Texas. Sarah had many nieces and nephews and cherished friendships like the one she shared with lifelong pal Mary (Corbell) Denty of Apple Valley, Calif.
Sarah grew up in Cass and graduated Salutatorian of Bloomburg High School class of 1955. She and David married shortly after her graduation and began their many adventures together.
She was always by David’s side throughout his longtime coaching career and was a courageous fan of his teams, except in awfully close games when she would retreat to the nearest concession area.
Sarah worked as a bookkeeper/ administrative assistant and retired in 1994 from Conoco Phillips Petroleum in Borger, Texas.
Sarah was a member of Atlanta First Baptist Church and had an unwavering faith in God. She loved to travel and was a veracious reader who always read last pages first to make sure there was a happy ending.
Sarah was gracious and loyal, and she cared deeply for her family, loved ones and friends. If you ever had the privilege, as many did, of gathering around her kitchen table, you left feeling happier than when you arrived.
She bravely faced cancer with dignity and selflessness, still smiling at typical Murphy family wisecracks until the end.
Visitation will be Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2020, from 1 p.m., to 2 p.m., at First Baptist Church, Atlanta followed immediately by the funeral service at 2 p.m.
Interment will be in Macedonia Cemetery, Doddridge, Arkansas.
The family would like to acknowledge the superb care provided by Hospice of Texarkana. If you choose to honor Sarah with a charitable donation, please consider Hospice or one of Sarah’s favorite causes, Samaritan’s Purse.
Guest registry is available at www.hannerfuneralservice.com.