Derrell R. Murphy

Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch Derrell Runyon Murphy, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on January 23, 2025. He was born on September 10, 1930, in Edge, Texas, to Otha and Obera Murphy, and was the sixth of seven children. The Murphy Family moved to a farm outside of Lubbock, Texas shortly after and Derrell worked the fields and picked cotton alongside his siblings until he left for college. A standout athlete, he was an All-State basketball player and state champion at Shallowater High School, where he earned multiple scholarship offers. He chose to continue his basketball career at Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas. After graduating from SMU, Derrell served two years in the U.S. Army, stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas. Following his military service, he transitioned to a career in education, coaching basketball at Highland Park Jr High School in Dallas. In the winter of 1960, Derrell met Polly, a beautiful young lady in the church choir. Six months later, they married, and together they raised two children, Marcy and Mike. In 1967, the Murphy family moved to Longview, Texas, where they would make their home for the next 40 years. Derrell coached basketball at Foster JR High for a few years before moving to Pinewood Park Elementary as a principal. He later moved to become the first principal of Hudson Pep School, a gifted education program in Longview. He completed his career as principal at Pine Tree Middle School before retiring. After retirement, Derrell found fulfillment playing golf with his friends and doing volunteer work with the Southern Baptist – SBC Disaster Relief Ministry. He traveled extensively to provide disaster relief, including serving in New Orleans and the Mississippi Coast after Hurricane Katrina, in Houston after Hurricane Rita, and at Ground Zero following the events of 9/11. He also participated in mission trips with Builders for Christ, helping to build churches in Ohio, Minnesota, and even travelled to Kobe, Japan to work on a Missionary’s home. Derrell loved his church family at Oakland Heights where he was actively involved in many roles. In 2009, they relocated to Olive Branch, Mississippi to be closer to family, where they became members of First Baptist Olive Branch. Derrell lived a life marked by service, dedication, and a deep love for his family, his community, and his faith. He was a man of God and had a deep and unwavering faith in God’s mercy and sovereignty. He was a godly husband to Polly for 64 years of marriage and faithfully took care of Polly until her passing. His faith was the foundation of everything he did, and he instilled this in his children and grandchildren. Derrell is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Anne Murphy; his son-in-law, Guy Gilliland; grandchildren, Luke Murphy, Jared Gilliland (Lindsey), Rachel Campisi (Steven); and great grandchildren Madelyn, Brooke, and Case Gilliland and Mary Claire Campisi. He was preceded in death and greeted in Heaven by his wife Polly and daughter, Marcy Gilliland, his parents Otha and Obera and all six of his siblings. The family is deeply grateful for the outpouring of love and support during this time. Though we miss Derrell deeply, the confidence we have in his destination for eternity brings us deep joy. A celebration of Derrell’s life will be held at the Coleman Funeral Home of Olive Branch on Saturday, February 1st [Visitation at 10am; Service at 11am], where friends and family are invited to honor a man who lived a life of service, faith, and love. In lieu of traditional flowers, memorials may be made to Memphis Union Mission (www.memphisunionmission.org) or to First Baptist Church of Olive Branch Debt Retirement Fund (www.fbcob.org). Online condolences may be left on his tribute wall at www.colemanfuneralhome.com.

Derrell R. Murphy

September 10, 1930 - January 23, 2025

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