Terry Lynn Murphy, age 62, passed away peacefully July 3, 2024, surrounded by family and friends, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.
Terry was born August 31, 1961, in Albany, MO. Her family moved to Boone shortly after her birth, and in 1965 they settled in Jefferson, where Terry resided for the rest of her life.
During her childhood years, Terry learned to play the piano beautifully and was a star pitcher on the high school softball team, both activities she continued to enjoy into adulthood. Other activities Terry found joy in included golfing, roller skating, and spending time with her friends. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1980.
Terry began her bank career as a 17-year-old high school student. She enrolled in the school’s “Trade and Industry Program” and was placed with Brenton State Bank in Jefferson. Terry began in the bookkeeping department, progressed to teller, then motor bank teller, and advanced to personal banker. This beginning eventually led to a 32-year banking career in which Terry was recognized often for her accomplishments and excellent customer service.
Terry’s contribution to the bank, bank staff, and customers was immeasurable. She was a “people person,” always helpful and often known to go above and beyond what was expected of her. She was willing to accept any challenge, and in particular, she embraced the technology side, which was new at the time. She was a great asset to the employees who did not have that ability, and could often be seen helping others.
Terry enjoyed interacting with the bank staff for special events, such as Christmas parties. She occasionally could be seen sharing her talent and playing piano in the bank lobby during an open house. Her love of dancing once led her to teach the entire bank staff how to line dance. She choreographed the dance so that the staff could dance to country music as a group in the Bell Tower parade that year. It was a big hit!
During her career, Terry’s willingness to help, her sense of fun, and her determination to get things done made her a valued member of the Brenton Bank family for 20 years, and the Jefferson Wells Fargo family for 12 years. Her next position at Greene County Medical Center as plant operations clerk fulfilled her busy nature until 2019.
On January 25, 2003, Terry married the love of her life, Dennis Murphy. Terry and Dennis dated for more than 20 years. Their official marriage ceremony only solidified their already strong and loving union. Terry’s competitiveness, ambitious spirit, and meticulous nature made her a well suited companion. Besides having a fulltime career, she worked tirelessly on many business ventures with Dennis over the years, including the planting and harvesting seasons on the Murphy family farm and most recently embarking on their latest project, the Murphy Family Meats Locker.
Terry’s full and meaningful life also included having fun; country dancing, tractor pulling, and time spent with family and friends were among her favorite pastimes. She also held a special place in her heart for all animals. Her many beloved pets over the years included horses, dogs, and countless stray cats. No soul went unloved or uncared for in her presence.
Her ambition and accomplishments were only shadowed by her compassion and nurturing heart, which was evidenced by her many relationships. Terry was devoted to her family and dedicated to her friends. Her quick wit and generous nature gave wise counsel and a kind word to all who were lucky enough to know her. A beloved wife, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend to so many, the memory of her kindness and generosity is the legacy she leaves for us all.
On September 17, 2022, she received her untimely diagnosis of pancreatic cancer. Her long and valiant fight was an inspiration to everyone around her. Terry approached her diagnosis the same way she did other challenges, with determination and goals for things she wanted to get done. Two goals Terry made were to get Murphy Farm Meats Locker done, and to participate in the harvest of 2023. In typical fashion, both of these goals were accomplished.
Terry was preceded in death by her parents (Jr and Geneva Whiteley), and her in-laws (Richard and Kathryn Murphy). She leaves behind her husband, Dennis Murphy; her sister Peg (Dick) Wilcox of Perry; nieces Jennifer (Steven) Faux of Perry, and Jill Carollo of Austin, TX; nephew Michael Wilcox of Scranton; and many cousins and great-great nieces and nephews, all of whom adored her.
A Celebration of Life for Terry Murphy, 62, of Jefferson will be held Saturday, July 13, at the Jefferson Elk’s Lodge. Private interment will be at a later date at the Jefferson Cemetery.
The family is assisted by Slininger-Schroeder Funeral Home, Jefferson, 515-386-2171.
