A Lovely Lady

She loved crunching ice, and I remember visiting her home and being delighted with the frozen red kool-aid she kept in the ice cube trays; but regardless of the cold treats that came out of her freezer, she was the warmest lady I knew. And now, as she lies quite ill in a hospital room, she still warms up the place around her -- even though she’s completely unaware. And that was always one of the most beautiful things about her:  she was a lovely lady who was unaware of the effect she had on the lives of people who were fortunate to know her. People like me.

I have known Joanne Murphey my entire life. A family friend, she attended the same Baptist Church I went to during my youth, and her family lived on Concordia Drive like we did. Her three kids were our friends, too, and her husband was a godly man who took care of my mom, sister, and me when our dad died just as he did for his own family. I remember looking out the window and seeing Mr. Murphey and his son, Mike, mowing our yard just like Daddy would have done. The Murphey family was our family. They still are.

Later when I was a student at Texas A&M, I’d go to Bellville to visit and my car would automatically gravitate toward their home. Their home felt like a home was supposed to feel -- a warm, welcoming place where people loved each other, loved the Lord, and loved those who came to visit. Again, people like me.

Joanne had red hair and lived in an orange-colored brick house and kept red kool-aid ice cube treats. And even though I’ve forgotten many other details about her, I’ll always remember how she made me feel:  welcomed and loved.  And I’m only one of many.

The last time I saw her was at the wedding reception of her beautiful granddaughter Morgan. A glowing, proud grandmother, she was surrounded by family and friends, watching the dance and complimenting me on my dress – which was typical – focusing on me, not on her. And when I walked away from her, I remember feeling beautiful and loved and grateful for having her in my life.  

Right now I’m praying for her and for her very special family as she remains hospitalized in Dallas. I’m praying for her, but I’m not worried about her for she always knew the most important thing in life was knowing Jesus Christ. That’s her greatest legacy. That’s where her love came from in the first place. From her heart, God’s home. A warm, loving home she shared with people like me.  

*Note: I just received word that our very dear Mrs. Joanne Murphey was welcomed into her heavenly home this morning. I'm sure she's once more surrounded by a circle of friends and family, who are excitedly welcoming her into the most loving home any of us will ever know. But she's really going to be missed, and my prayers are now for her sweet family.