Julia Faye Cook McMurrey

Julia Faye Cook McMurrey was born in Houston on July 29, 1921 to Julian Lester and Willie Oma Irwin Cook. She died peacefully at home on Thursday, September 26, 2013, under the care of The Hospice of East Texas. Arrangements are under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held Monday, September 30, 2013 at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Tyler, with Rev. Pike Wisner and Rev. Jim Shamburger officiating. Visitation will follow the service. The family requests that attendees wear pink, if they so choose, as pink was her favorite color. Julia Faye moved to Tyler when she was 12 years old and began attending Hogg Junior High School. During her time at Hogg, she met R.J. McMurrey, Jr. Julia Faye graduated from Tyler High School in 1938 and attended Gulf Park Girls School in Gulfport, MS and the University of Texas in Austin. She married R.J. on January 3, 1942 at First Baptist Church in Tyler. After R.J. completed his service in the United States Army Air Corps, they returned to Tyler to raise their family. Julia Faye was always kind and gracious, often taking newcomers to Tyler under her wing. She selflessly cared for both her mother and mother-in-law in their later years, and lovingly cared for R.J. through his 10-year battle with Alzheimer’s. She and R.J. were founding members of Green Acres Baptist Church and longtime members of First Baptist Church. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority Alumna Club, Junior League of Tyler, Women’s Symphony League, Cultu Mea Literary Club and Festival Garden Club. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and infant daughter, Martha Jill McMurrey. “Golly,” as she was called by her grandchildren, is survived by a son, Robert James McMurrey, III of Slidell; three daughters, Julia Faye McMurrey of Troup, Betty McMurrey of Tyler and Amy E. McMurrey of Dallas; three granddaughters, Luci Barrett Mimms of Tyler, Claire Barrett Patrick and husband Chance of Pflugerville, and Anna McMurrey of Denton and great-grandson, Logan Mimms of Tyler. The family wishes to acknowledge with deepest gratitude the excellent care provided to her by her caregivers and The Hospice of East Texas. If desired, memorials may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Julia Faye Cook McMurrey

July 29, 1921 - September 26, 2013