Shirley Murphy

Shirley Geren Murphy, 85, passed with peace and grace surrounded by loved ones in Manchester, Tenn., on December 14, 2020. She was born April 29, 1935, in Peno, Okla., to the late Ramon Geren and Gladys McLarty . Shirley retired from The University of Arkansas Printing Services in Fayetteville, Arkansas after 25 years and moved to Tennessee shortly after. She enjoyed cooking, baking, quilting, genealogy work, reading, and most of all, spending time with her family. As a devoted wife and strong matriarch first and foremost, Shirley took great pride in her family. She was also a loving sister, doting aunt, and beloved grandmother. Shirley is now reunited with her husband of 61 years, James "Jim" William Murphy of Cookeville, Tenn., who passed five years ago. Together they raised three loving daughters, Sharon (Sam) Williams of Ogden, Utah, Marcia (Tom) Childers of Bradyville, Tenn., and Susan Murphy of Manchester, Tenn. Shirley was preceded in death by her brother, Jack Van Geren. She will be missed by her two sisters, Bebe (Orville) Crowell and Nancy Fountain, both of Cookeville, Tenn. As well as her brother, Robert (Shelley) Connor of Auburndale, Fla., along with many loved nephews and nieces. One of Shirley's favorite roles had many names: Mema, Meems, Meemers, Meme, Grandma and they all delighted her for the past 47 years. She will always be remembered by granddaughters, Brooke Peterson with two great-granddaughters, Jill Farrell with one great-granddaughter and four great-grandsons, grandsons, Ben Williams, Matthew Williams and Chris Childers with one great-grandson, many step-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren. Coffee County Funeral Chapel is honored to serve the Murphy family.