Jeannette McMurray

Faye Jeannette McMurray, born March 31, 1942, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, passed away on July 24, 2025, in the very town she called home for over 77 of her 83 years. She was the second child of A. Fay and Pauline Whiteley and took equal joy in both loving and attempting to boss around her older brother, Larry. At 17, she married Tommy McMurray of Bixby, Oklahoma. Still in high school at the time, one of her favorite stories was the embarrassment she felt when her new husband had to sign her last report card. Together, they had three children: sons Shayne and Tom, and daughter Shantil. The only time Faye lived outside of Oklahoma was during her children’s early years, when Tommy’s work as a builder took the family to Florida for a time. Faye often said she spent her childhood in her parents' store, though she still found time for tap dancing, playing in the band, art, horseback riding with her cousin, and even skiing. After raising her children as a homemaker, she walked into Arkansas Valley State Bank on Main Street and, after running into the owner who she knew mentioning she was hunting a job, walked out with one as a teller. She remained with the bank until her retirement in 2004. Faye was known for her personality and unique sense of humor. She never met a stranger and was always ready to strike up a conversation or offer a warm smile. She loved photography and those who were not fond of their picture being made could often be seen diving for cover when she walked into an event. Her hobbies included crochet and oil painting, particularly scenes of the Wild West and Native American life, a hobby she tried to instill in her oldest grandson. A devoted Christian, Faye could be found most days reading her bible or listening to her favorite preachers; first on cassette tapes, then CDs, and eventually YouTube as technology changed. Faye was also a world traveler, having visited 48 of the 50 states and 17 countries. One of her most memorable trips was to England, where she and a friend were picked up from the airport by a cab driver who, after being unable to find an open hotel, liked them so much he hired them to babysit his daughter that very night. He offered room and board in return, and for the remainder of their stay in London, acted as their personal chauffeur; a reminder of a different, more trusting time. Faye’s life was shaped by love and loss. Her three children and granddaughter all lived with muscular dystrophy, and she and her husband built their final home in 2000 to accommodate their growing needs. She often spoke of God’s guidance in that decision, as the home became the resting place for her mother, her husband, her three children, and now, finally, herself. She is remembered fondly by those who knew her; not just for her strength and grace, but also for her supervisory skills. Whether it was her husband, her son-in-law, her nephew, her grandson, or her great-nephew, she could often be found watching them work, offering direction, and ensuring the job was done right… or in the case of her great nephew, that he simply didn’t follow her directions closely enough, much to the family’s amusement. Faye was preceded in death by her brother Larry Whiteley, her beloved husband Tommy McMurray, and her three children: sons Shayne and Tom, and daughter Shantil. She is survived by her three grandchildren: Alex Martin of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma; Cameron Martin of Colorado Springs, Colorado; and Callie Kolb of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Association in Faye’s honor.

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Jeannette McMurray

March 31, 1942 - July 24, 2025