Lily Lou McMurrey

Lily Lou McMurrey passed away peacefully on Thursday, the 10th of December 2015, in Houston. She was 90 years of age. Lily Lou was born on the 28th of May 1925, in Coldspring, Texas, to Frank McMurrey and Frances McCardell McMurrey.

Lily Lou graduated from the University of Texas and moved to Tyler, Texas in the 40’s to work at The McMurrey Refinery. She was a natural mathematician and kept immaculate hand written records as a bookkeeper for over 50 years. Lily Lou selflessly devoted many years of her life to care for her aunt, Lula Belle McMurrey. She was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution for over 60 years. She generously contributed to various charities in her community and especially enjoyed supporting the Tyler Rose Festival where she shared fond memories with numerous relatives.

Lily Lou will be remembered by her family and friends as a generous, loving person who had a cheerful voice and friendly smile. She was a true Southern lady and gracious hostess. She helped orchestrate many family holidays to perfection. Lily Lou was like a second mother and grandmother to all of her cousins, nieces, and nephew, who adored her. Her family is grateful that she was able to spend the last several months of her life in Houston among family members.

Lily Lou was preceded in death by her sisters, Margaret McMurrey Gipple and Frances Douglas McCardell. She is survived by her cousins, Marvin H. McMurrey, Jr., Cooky and Howard Mays, Carolyn and Terry Shelton, Patricia and Winford Matthew, Douglas and Sarah McMurrey, Odette and Bob Mace, Marvin H. McMurrey, III, Laura and Ward Sheffield, Bryan and Shelby McMurrey, Marjorie Ann McKellar Cassity and her husband, Cecil, and Kathleen McKellar Frazier. She is also survived by her niece, Beth Moore of Missouri and her nephew Michael Gipple of Kansas.

A funeral service and celebration of Lily Lou’s life is to be conducted at two o’clock in the afternoon on Sunday, the 13th of December, at the First Baptist Church, 100 E. Pine Avenue in Coldspring, where Dr. Don Shannon will officiate.

Immediately following, the family will gather for an interment at Laurel Hill Cemetery, also in Coldspring.

In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in memory of Lily Lou McMurrey may be directed to the First Baptist Church, 100 E. Pine Ave., Coldspring, TX. 77331.