Mary Murphy Strait's Obituary
Mary Lucille Porterfield Murphy Strait, 97, passed away peacefully after a brief injury on September 25, 2017, with members of her family surrounding her with love. She was born on November 13, 1919, to Mabel King Porterfield and Thomas Fulton Porterfield, in Waxahachie, Texas. After graduating from Richardson High School, Mary pursued a career in home economics and teaching, graduating with a degree from the University of North Texas. She married the late Charles William Murphy on February 5, 1943 and they lived together in Richardson, Texas, until his death in 1989. Mary then found love again with Walter Brooks Strait and they married October 2, 1996 and continued to live in Richardson until his death in 1998.Mary was a devoted member of First Baptist Church in Richardson, Texas, and remained highly involved in public school work as a teacher and executive secretary to the superintendent. Known for her resilience and quick sense of humor, she loved travel, all kinds of music, good food, her friends, and found continuous joy in her church and her family.She is survived by two children, Susan Jones and her husband Curt Jones, of Lubbock, Texas; and Mike Murphy and his wife Debby Murphy, of San Antonio, Texas. She is also survived by five grandchildren, Julie Woods, Ben Jones, Andy Jones, Megan Hogue, and Kevin Murphy. In the past five years, she delighted in her four great-grandchildren, Henry Hogue, Katherine Murphy, Ethan Murphy, and Hannah Kate Woods.The memorial service for Mary will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017, at 3:00 pm, in the Abby Chapel on the Restland Memorial Park property, 13005 Greeneville Avenue, Dallas, Texas, 75243. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that any gifts of remembrance be directly sent to the First Baptist Church of Richardson Senior Ministry, 1001 North Central Expressway, Richardson, Texas 75080.
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