Megan Gayle

Joan Murphy

Birdsong Cremations

Joan Sanderson Hunter Murphy, 82, passed away peacefully surrounded by love on January 8, 2026, in Houston, Texas following her long battle with an illness leaving behind a legacy of devotion, strength and kindness. Born on December 1, 1943, in Bradenton, Florida to William Finlay Hunter, Jr. and Betty Loraine Battle, she was raised in Hollywood, Florida, graduating from South Broward High School in 1961.  She then attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia from 1961 to 1963 before attending Florida State University from 1963 to 1965, graduating with a degree in English.

Joan then held various jobs out of school including teaching high school English in Atlanta, Georgia, working in communications for the Georgia Department of Revenue under Governor Jimmy Carter’s administration and writing Sears, Roebuck and Company catalogue descriptions before embarking on an almost 30-year career with Dallas Power & Light/TU Electric/TXU Energy in Dallas, Texas, first as manager and then director of the communications and public relations department.  She then had an almost 10-year career working as a manager in the communications and public relations department for the Tarrant County, Texas public transportation authority Trinity Metro in Fort Worth prior to retiring.  She also served as an officer of The Press Club of Atlanta and The Press Club of Dallas outside of work.

Joan took great pride in her work approaching her career with dedication, integrity and a strong sense of purpose earning the respect of colleagues, friends and family alike, although family was the center of Joan’s life as she found her greatest happiness in time spent with those she loved attending family vacations and reunions, celebrating milestones and creating memories that will be treasured forever. Her love was steady and unconditional, and her presence brought comfort and reassurance to all who knew her.

Joan was a long-time active parishioner of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Grand Prairie, Texas as well as St. Alban’s Episcopal Church in Arlington, Texas.  In her spare time, she enjoyed swimming laps before work every morning, going to the movies regularly in an attempt to watch all of that year’s Oscar nominated films, traveling and in her later years being the best ‘Mimi’ she could be to her five grandchildren who brought her immense joy and pride.

Joan is survived in passing by her daughter Megan Gayle and son-in-law Dr. George Gayle IV of Houston, son Bobby Murphy and daughter-in-law Brittany Murphy of Dallas, her grandchildren George Gayle V, Pierce Gayle, Katherine Gayle, Robert Murphy and Lillian Murphy, her brother Bill Hunter, her sisters Michal Hunter, Jane Macina and Peggi Hunter, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

The memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, February 7th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church in Tampa. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetary, after which guests are invited to a luncheon.

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Joan Murphy Obituary | Birdsong Cremations