Dee Ellzey Murphy

Immersed in love and surrounded by family and friends, Dee Ellzey Murphy, 85, passed away June 3, 2020 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born January 13, 1935 in Kilgore, Texas where she grew up with her mother, Myrtle Lambert Kissick, stepfather, W.J. “Doc” Kissick and sister, Melba Ellzey Lee. She graduated from Kilgore College and performed with the famous Kilgore Rangerettes and met her husband, Donald “Pat” Murphy. She attended East Central University in Oklahoma and went on to earn her Masters Degree in Education from Eastern Montana College. She taught elementary school for many years.

Dee and Pat lived in various communities as they raised their three boys throughout their marriage. Dee was always able to put down roots and she made friends all over the country. She made an impact wherever she lived. A devout follower of the Lord, Dee supported her home church by leading Sunday school classes and bible studies, and was a source of counsel and love to anyone she saw in need. She was the embodiment of love, acceptance, kindness, and grace. Her faith and beliefs were unwavering throughout her life. Words cannot describe Dee’s enormous influence on her sons, daughter-in-laws, grandchildren, friends, co-workers, and care-takers. She never missed an opportunity to tell her family that she loved them, was proud of them, and prayed daily for them. She was our hero, our role model, and her example continues to inform all of our lives. She was truly exceptional.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Pat and her sister, Melba.

She is survived by her sons, Chris (Teri), Pat (Marilyn), and Kelly (MaryBeth) and her grandchildren Katie Murphy, Allison Murphy, Kyle Murphy, Rebekah Murphy, Jeromey Lauer, Sarah Lauer, Lauren Kyle, Jocelyn Murphy and great- grandchildren, Keely Murphy, and Waylon Kyle.

Memorial Services will be held at Erman Smith Funeral Home, 315 Rusk Street, Pittsburg, TX on Saturday, July 11th at 10am with a reception following.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Missions Programs at Scottsdale Bible Church, 7601 Shea Blvd., Scottsdale, AZ 85260 or at First Baptist Church, 300 Jefferson St., Pittsburg, TX 75686.