Polly Shaw Murphy

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch Polly Shaw Murphy, age 86, passed into the presence of her Lord and Savior on December 22, 2022. She died peacefully following a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease. Polly was born in Parkin, Arkansas on September 13, 1936 to Jack and Mary Shaw. The family moved to Memphis, Tennessee a short time after. She graduated from Whitehaven High School and proceeded to earn a bachelor’s in education from Memphis State University. After graduation, Polly and her best friend, Pat Whitten, traveled to Dallas, Texas to start their careers. They found teaching jobs on their first day as “Texans” and Polly taught for the next 30 years. Derrell Murphy first saw his future wife, Polly, singing in the church choir and knew he had to meet her. Six-months later, they were married on August 13, 1960. Polly and Derrell used their marriage to honor and serve their Lord Jesus Christ, and He blessed their marriage for 62 years. Both of their children, Marcy and Mike, were born in Dallas, TX. Derrell and Polly moved to Longview, TX in the late 1960’s. For 40 years, East Texas provided a wonderful community, friends, and home to the Murphy’s. Throughout her life, Polly was dedicated to the service of others, serving her friends and family relentlessly. Sometimes it was hard to even tie your own shoes with Polly Murphy around. Her top priority was using her talents to point people toward her Lord and Savior. Over her 30-year career as a teacher in Pine Tree schools she had a profound impact on her students and co-workers. Polly and Derrell returned to Memphis, Tennessee in 2012 to be close to family. Polly is survived by her husband, Derrell Murphy; her son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Anne Murphy; her son-in-law, Guy Gilliland; her grandchildren, Luke Murphy, Jared Gilliland (Lindsey), Rachel Campisi (Steven); her sisters, Linda Newson (Larry) and Gigi Mills (Ken). She was preceded in death and greeted in Heaven by her daughter, Marcy Gilliland, her parents, Jack and Mary Shaw, and her brother, Jackie Shaw. The family will receive friends on Thursday, January 5th, 2023 from 11:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch (6815 Parkview Blvd, Olive Branch, MS). A service will follow at 12:00 p.m. at Coleman Funeral Home. Interment will be at West Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at a later date. Bro. Jerrod Brooks and Bro. Tim Lampley will officiate. In lieu of traditional flowers, memorials may be made to the First Baptist Church Debt Retirement Fund at www.fbcob.org or the Memphis Union Mission at www.memphisunionmission.org. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

Polly Shaw Murphy

September 13, 1936 - December 22, 2022

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