Peggy McKay Murphy, 94, of Florence, passed away on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at her residence. She was born on [Date of Birth] to Robert and Anne Cox McKay. Peggy was a dedicated educator, having retired from the Florence City School system in 1991. She was a beloved Home Economics teacher at Bradshaw High School and Burrel Slater Trade School. Peggy was also an active member of Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ, where she taught children’s classes and served on various committees. She was a graduate of Central High School in Columbia, Tennessee, and went on to attend David Lipscomb and the University of North Alabama.
Peggy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Doug Murphy, and her parents, Robert and Anne Cox McKay. She is survived by her sons, Doug Murphy, Jr. (Becky), David Murphy (Jackie), and Randall Murphy (Donna); grandchildren, Dee Murphy (Leslie), David Murphy (Tara), Mac Murphy (Kai), Macy Skipworth (Josh), Jennifer Tidwell (Jason), and Daniel Murphy (Misti); great-grandchildren, Lizzie Turner (Lucas), Condra Murphy (Emma), Norah Murphy, Shelby Lynn Murphy, Ella Murphy, Eliza Murphy, Darby Dee Skipworth, Ty Murphy, Drake Murphy, Cole Murphy, Murphy Tidwell, and Marlie Tidwell; great-great-grandchildren, John Bradley Turner and James Turner.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 8, 2026, from 12-2 PM at Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ in the Gathering Place, followed by a funeral service at 2 PM with Bro. Justin Pannell officiating. Burial will take place at Greenview Memorial Park. Elkins Funeral Home is honored to assist the family during this difficult time.
Pallbearers will be Dee Murphy, David Murphy, Mac Murphy, Daniel Murphy, Jason Tidwell, and Josh Skipworth. Honorary pallbearers will be Condra Murphy, Murphy Tidwell, Ty Murphy, Drake Murphy, and Cole Murphy.
The family extends special thanks to Peggy’s caregivers, Cathi Rodriquez, Helen Irons, and Kelly Bowling, as well as North Alabama Hospice Nurses, Lisa Wheeler and Daniel Freeman.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Doug and Peggy Murphy Endowment at Mars Hill Bible School in Florence, Alabama, or Sherrod Avenue Church of Christ
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