J.E. Murphy

J. E. Murphy, 91, went to be with Jesus on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, joining his beloved wife of 73½ years, Joyce Maze Murphy, who preceded him in death by only four months. They are now reunited, enjoying eternal life in the presence of their Savior, Jesus Christ.

He was born on December 16, 1934, in Liberty, Texas, to Jett and Josia Phine Collins Murphy. He was the youngest of eight children born into a sharecropping family during the Great Depression. Life was not easy, and he often spoke of the hardships they endured. As a toddler, he survived cholera, and as a young boy, a near-drowning incident in Menard Creek. Later in life, he also overcame MRSA and cancer.

J. E. accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior during a revival at Concord Baptist Church in April 1948. He often said the first time he clearly heard God’s voice was when he met Joyce at Boothe’s Café on the square in Livingston, Texas, where she worked. As he ordered a glass of tomato juice, he heard the Lord say, “She will be your wife.” Nine months later, on May 25, 1952, they were married—she had just turned 18, and he was 17.

J. E. owned and operated Dayton TV Sales and Service for 17 years before beginning his career with Exxon Chemical in 1973. He was an exceptionally talented man who could do almost anything—from homes, pouring the concrete to finishing the roof, electrical, plumbing, cabinet making, bricklaying, built furniture pieces, dominoes, to restoring cars, building a boat, and crafting and selling mandolins. He was also musically gifted, playing guitar, banjo, fiddle, dobro, and harmonica—sometimes even playing guitar and harmonica at the same time. He loved to travel and took his family on many vacations. Also loved to fish and Marvin made sure he went from guided trips on Lake Sam Rayburn to last summer on the private lake behind their home in Liberty.

He faithfully served the Lord as a pastor for 38 years, leading several churches throughout East Texas, including Gum Grove (Eastgate), Big Sandy (Livingston), Adams Memorial (interim, Jasper), Anchor Baptist (Jasper), Johnson Baptist (Zavalla), Carlisle Baptist (Onalaska), and Victory Baptist (Dam B). He also founded Camp Ruby in Livingston and Hebron in Warren. Some churches he pastored more than once. Alongside Joyce and their daughter Gwen, he traveled throughout Southeast Texas preaching revivals and sharing music together.

J. E. lived a life devoted to honoring the Lord. He was a loving and faithful husband, a wonderful and generous father, and was deeply proud of his children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce Maze Murphy; his parents, Jett and Josia Murphy; his brothers, James (Goldie), Bill (Dorothy), M.B. “Doc” (Alice), and Forthin (Bernice); and his sisters, Esther (Robert), Joetta (Marvin), and Myrtle (former husband Chester).

He is survived by his son, Joseph Murphy and wife Dawn; his daughter, Gwen Cowart and husband Marvin; grandson Jason Cowart and wife Monique; granddaughters Callie Murphy Kelly and husband Christian, Jodi Murphy Hester and husband Carl; James Schmidt and Tiffany Schmidt, Michael Sarver and wife, Tiffany; great-grandchildren Vivianne, John William, and Audrey Cowart; Elliott Kelly and wife Ariel; Oliver, Alexander, and Imogen Kelly; Mattalyn Neally and Leslie Jean Brock, Makenna Sarver Solis and husband, Reid and Grayson Sarver; great-great-grandchildren Archie and Charlotte Kelly, and Mayve Jo and Elyza Jean Neally; along with a multitude of other relatives and loved ones.

We will love you forever.

Funeral services will be held Friday, April 10, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., at the Freedom Church in Liberty, Texas with Jason Cowart officiating. Interment will be held the day of service, at 2:00 p.m., at the Camp Ruby Cemetery in Livingston, Texas.