Barbara Jo Murley

On August 1, 1939 Barbara Jo was born in Fayetteville AR to Sam and Jimmie Edmiston. She lived in Arkansas and Oklahoma as a child with siblings - Sybil, Phil & Sam. She gave her life to Jesus when she was 12 years old. She was raised in a house full of love.

She moved to Memphis in 1957 and met her future husband Lee Murley. They raised three boys - Richard, David and Mark. They were taught to eat their vegetables, take their medicine until it is all gone and wash behind their ears. Barbara’s sons saw the example of parents who walked with the Lord. She lived a life of service, sacrifice, and thinking of others first. Her sons were taught to work and be responsible, and on Sundays they were going to Church. If there were volunteer efforts needing support, ministries to be funded or work to be done she was there to help. She loved Ellendale Baptist Church, her Pastor, the ministry staff, many friends and her family.

One of her favorite nights was Christmas Eve. She was surrounded by family and food. If there was only one piece of cake left to eat, suddenly she was not hungry. We would talk, laugh and in her words “ just be together.”

She also had a special tradition of making quilts whenever family members got married or a baby was born - a way of wrapping her loved ones in warmth and comfort, symbolizing how they were always covered in her love.

She stepped into Heaven the evening of March 19, 2025. There are no more tears and no more pain. She is with loved ones and with Jesus.

Barbara was preceded in death by her husband Lee, her parents, sister and brothers.

She is survived by her three sons and wives - Richard & Betty Murley, David & Lee Ann Murley, Mark & Lindy Murley, seven grandchildren - Abby, Sam, Mary Beth, Amanda, Kaci, Lauren and Drew and their husbands & wives, and fourteen great grandchildren.

A visitation for Barbara will be held Monday, March 24, 2025 from 9:00 AM until funeral services begin at 11:00 AM all at Ellendale Baptist Church, 3861 Broadway Rd, Bartlett, TN 38135.

Barbara will be laid to rest in Memphis Funeral Home & Memorial Gardens, 3700 North Germantown Parkway, Bartlett, TN 38133-2826.

Thank you Ellendale Baptist Church for loving Barbara so well. Thank you King’s Daughters & Sons Home for the excellent care she received.

Memorial contributions may be given to the Darrell Overstreet Future Buildings Fund at Ellendale Baptist Church.

God is Good. Jesus is Lord.