Thresea Jane Murphy

Thresea Jane Murphy (Better known as Teri) of North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, (Previously of Bryans Road, MD) passed away peacefully at her forever beach home, surrounded by her family, in the early hours of June 24, 2024. She battled an aggressive form of throat cancer, which was only found 6 months ago.

Teri was born in Long Beach, California on September 13, 1961. She was one of 7 kids. She grew up in Westminster, MD with her foster parents; The late Brentwood and Betty Lockard. She graduated from Westminster High School in 1979.

In 1981, Teri enlisted in the United States Air Force, but was unfortunately honorably discharged a short time after for medical reasons beyond her control.

If you knew Teri anytime after that, you probably met her behind a bar mixing up drinks, handing out cold beers and cracking, witty, smart-aleck jokes with her favorite customers, turned friends. She worked at and managed many different hotel bars and restaurants in the DC/Maryland area.

Teri took sometime to be a stay at home Mom in October 1992, when she gave birth to her twins- George and Jennifer. They were her entire world; Up until her very last breath. She let it be known, that no one came between her and the love for her kids!

In 2000, Teri met the love of her life, Scott Murphy. Teri waited on him many nights while she was managing the bar at Stables Restaurant in Bryans Road, MD… the rest is history. They married on August 12, 2006. They owned Murphy’s Pub together for 14 years and they really did love running the bar together. So many of their greatest and longest friendships over the years, came from the bar. Scott and Teri also loved being out on the water. You could usually find them out on the Potomac River, on their boat, which they bought after getting married and conveniently named it “The Honeymoon”. They spent many summers almost every weekend down at “The Point” with their friends and kids.

In 2014, they sold the bar and Scott went back to work and Teri decided to pick up a few bartending shifts at The Indian Head Moose Lodge where her and Scott became active and loyal members. Although the bar was missed, so many of their friends and customers followed them to the Moose, it’s like they never even got rid of the bar, just the headache that came with owning it.

In 2021, Scott retired, sold the boat and put a down payment on an open lot in North Myrtle beach, where they decided to build their forever home. Just blocks from the ocean. Their dream was always to live at the beach and vacation together forever.

She met an abundance of friends during her short time living in North Myrtle Beach, most of them have since become like family. She enjoyed going to the beach and pool daily, having “tea time” at 4:00 everyday with the neighbors, making sure dinner was ready promptly by 6:00 for her and Scott, with just enough time left in the evening to watch Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy… However, no matter what time it was, or what she was doing, she always made time to FaceTime with her ‘favorite Granddaughter’ (her only Granddaughter as they always joked) Braelynn, several times a day.

Teri was and will always be loved by so many. She never knew a stranger.

Teri is proceeded in death by her mother and father, Tommie-Jean & James Handy. Her foster parents, Brentwood and Betty Lockard. Her brother Joe. Sisters, Dorothy, Linda, Jenny and Carolyn.

She is survived by her loving husband, Scott Murphy. Her brother Jimmy Handy of PA. Her kids, George Reyes Jr of Waldorf, MD. Jennifer Sknerski (Mike) of North Myrtle Beach, SC. Royce Zeiler of Reisterstown, MD. Her step sons, Brian Murphy (Paige) of Ashburn, VA. and Joel Murphy (Molly) of Glendale, California. Her grandkids, Braelynn, Hunter, Ava and her newest grandson, Landen.

Her grandkids were the light of her life. Her favorite person to be other than ‘Teri’ & ‘Mommy’ was ‘Nana’.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at Lee Funeral Home & Crematory 11840 Hwy 90 Little River, SC 29566. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service.

A celebration of life for friends and family will be held July 13, 2024 at the Indian Head Moose Lodge 11 Moose Lodge Way Indian Head, MD 20640. More details will be provided later.