Barbara Joyce Murphy

Barbara Joyce Howell was born on April 29, 1928, in Quinlan, Texas, the firstborn child of James Kendrick and Cleo Beatrice Howell. Her parents raised seven children, and they lived on a farm until her dad decided to go to work for the railroad and was later promoted to foreman. Barbara attended the small school in Quinlan until they moved to Corsicana, Texas where she attended Corsicana High School. She loved school and enjoyed the larger, more challenging classes there.

Oscar Clifton Murphy’s family lived next door and when he came home on furlough during World War 2, they began to date and then write letters when he returned overseas. She graduated in May of 1945 and they were married after the war on November 16, 1945. They lived in Houston and then Galveston before settling here in College Station. They had four children and Barbara cared for them and, also did the bookkeeping for her husband’s auto repair business, Murphy’s Garage. When the kids were older, she became the church secretary at Calvary Baptist Church in Bryan, where she served for many years. Later, she worked for the Texas A&M University Extension Service in the Beef Cattle department until Oscar retired.

About 8 years after she lost the love of her life, she remodeled her home in College Station and opened Murphy’s Bed and Breakfast. She enjoyed getting to know each of the guests who stayed with her for Aggie games. She shared her faith in the Lord with everyone she met and the entries by guests reflect how much that meant to them. She also shared her faith with her children and grandchildren, which was a priceless gift. Barbara passed away peacefully on September 19, 2025.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Oscar Clifton Murphy; her parents, Kendrick and Beatrice Howell; her brother, Truman Howell; and her sisters, Betty Howell Hicks and Mary Howell Paul.

She is survived by her four children, Rev. David Wayne Murphy, and Alba of Bryan, Texas, Richard Kenneth Murphy and Mary of Bethel, Connecticut, Rev. Robert Glyn Murphy and Lydia of Azel, Texas, and Teresa Joyce Murphy Davis and Larry of Abilene, Texas; twelve grandchildren and their beloved spouses, Shannon Murphy, Paul Murphy and Pam, Mark Murphy and Delia, Nathan Murphy and Melanie, John Murphy and Angie, Terah Murphy Martin and Jason, Cori Murphy Verghese and Sam, Ryan Murphy and Kirby, Travis Murphy and Taryn, Jarod Davis and Jennifer, Jason Davis and Niki, Cassie Davis McFadden and Jason; 30 great-grandchildren; her sister, Linda Wear; her brothers, James Howell and Raymond Howell; and sister-in-law, Martha Howell; along with many nieces and nephews on both sides of the family.

We know that she ran into the arms of Jesus and Oscar and all those who were waiting for her there!

A visitation for Barbara will be held Saturday, September 27, 2025 from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at Memorial Funeral Chapel College Station followed by her funeral service at 2:00 PM. Committal services will follow at College Station City Cemetery, 2530 Texas Ave S, College Station, Texas 77845.