She was a member of the Okolona Christian Church. She was a school crossing guard for many years in the 60s and 70s for St. Rita and Okolona Elementary Schools and an avid U of K and Cincinnati Reds fan.
She is preceded in death by her parents Thomas Damon and Margie Thomas Howell; brothers Ed Howell, Tom Howell, and John Howell; husband James “Murph” Murphy; son William Atherton; step-son Jimmy Murphy.
She is survived by her children Irvin “Porky” Atherton (Debbie), Margie Malone (Kenneth), Richard “Dicky” Atherton (Melissa), and Dennis Atherton; step-children Margie O’Meara (Bill) and Bonnie Staples (Jerry); daughter-in-law Julia Atherton; sister-in-law Jan Howell; 15 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; plus 3 on the way; a host of extended family and friends.
Her funeral service will be at 2:00PM Monday at Arch L. Heady & Son Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Okolona. Burial Highland Memory Gardens. Visitation Sunday 3-8 PM and Monday after12:00 PM until service time at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions can be made to the American Lung Association.
