Margaret Murphy Gorday

It is with great sadness that the family of Margaret Adelaide Murphy Gorday of Pensacola, FL announces her passing on Thursday, February 16, 2023, at the age of 97. Margaret was born on October 27, 1925, in Drewry, Alabama to Evan Thomas Murphy and Virginia Booker Murphy. She was the valedictorian of her class at Marengo County High school in Alabama. She then went on to attend the Alabama College for Women (now the University of Montevallo) where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology in 1947. She taught math and science over the span of 27 years, in both Alabama and Florida, culminating in her retirement from Brownsville Middle School in 1991. Margaret married William Bryant Gorday (Coach) in 1948 and together they welcomed 7 children: Mike, Gary, Dale, Zan, Kathy, Ann and Kim.

Margaret was a longtime member of Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, where she was involved in the homebound ministry. Margaret enjoyed volunteering in her daughters’ classrooms at Blue Angels Elementary, where she was awarded the Escambia County Senior Volunteer of the Year, as well as the Regional Senior Volunteer of the Year in 2018. She was featured as an Angel in our Midst by WEAR TV for her dedication to volunteering within Escambia County School District. She was a member of the Fidelis Nu Chapter of Alpha Delta Kappa and the Escambia County Retired Teachers Association.

Margaret loved to play the piano- hymns and nursery rhymes filled her living room, along with the delighted laughter of so many of her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren over the years. Every Sunday, you could follow the scent of roast, rice, and gravy from the driveway into the kitchen, where any friend of a family member was well-fed by Margaret. She was known to bowl a mean game on Thursday evenings and enjoyed her crossword puzzles with a cup of coffee every morning. In all she did, she most eagerly sought to glorify God.

When Margaret entered heaven, she was met by her loving husband, Coach, her parents, Evan and Virginia Murphy, all 6 of her siblings, Marion, Mildred, Frances, Little Brother, Jean and Billy. Additionally, she was met by her daughter- in-law, Maria Gorday, and her son-in-law, Bill Dungan. She also finally got to meet her infant great-great-grandson, Klyde Ross, who she is without a doubt, cradling in her arms.

Margaret is survived by an extensive family, including her children Mike Gorday (Kay), Gary Gorday, Dale Mullins (Cecil), Zan Cumbie (Robert), Kathy Ard (Clayton), Ann Dungan, and Kim Sasser (Eddie). She is also survived by 16 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren (and another on the way). She will also be missed by numerous nieces, nephews, and close family members.

Our family would like to thank Emerald Coast Hospice, especially her nurse, Phoebe, who cared for her so lovingly in her final months.

Services will be held at Myrtle Grove Baptist Church on Monday, February 20th at 12:00 P.M. A visitation will be held immediately prior, beginning at 11:00 A.M.

Jimmy Nichols, Paul Fetsko, Ellison Riley, Jeff Cain, John Williams, and Bill Talley will serve as pallbearers.

Please, send flowers for the Gorday family to Myrtle Grove Baptist Church, 5920 Lillian Hwy, Pensacola, FL 32506.

To join services online, please visit https://www.youtube.com/@myrtlegrove8377

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.oaklawnfunerals.com for the Gorday family.