Janet Taylor Murphy

Janet Taylor Murphy, 71, passed away peacefully at home on September 3, 2024. Janet was born on July 2,1953 in Hattiesburg, Mississippi to Avis (Moffett) Taylor and the late Thomas Arnold Taylor. Janet graduated from Shaw High School in 1971. She attended the University of Southern Mississippi and finished her college career at the University of South Alabama where she received her degree in Education. While at Southern Miss, Janet was a member of Chi Omega sorority. She remained a loyal alumna and cherished her lifelong friendships with her sorority sisters. She later earned a Master of Education in Media.

Janet was a first-grade teacher and taught in the Mobile County Public School System for over 30 years. After retiring from MCPSS, she continued as the lower school librarian at UMS-Wright. Her lifelong love of books was infectious. She inspired numerous children throughout her career to enjoy reading as much as she did.

In her spare time, Janet enjoyed attending Alabama football games, redecorating her home and spending time with family and close friends. Her greatest joy of all was being “Chi Chi” to her three beautiful grandchildren. She was loving, witty, generous and thoughtful. Janet never met a stranger and was adored by many.

She is survived by her husband of 48 years, Jeffrey Sloan Murphy; her daughters, Melanie Murphy Ranger (Dustin), Mary Kate Murphy Bartoli (Alan); her grandchildren, Simms Thomas Ranger, Frances Louise Bartoli and Elizabeth Hayes “Betsy” Bartoli; her sister, Lauri Taylor Bryant (Randy) and nieces and nephews.

A private family memorial service will be held at St. Paul’s Episcopal Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to Friends of the Mobile Public Library or the American Cancer Society.