Laura McMurray
Laura McMurray, a native of Beaumont, Texas, passed away peacefully on October 22, 2020.
Laura was a lifelong educator that dedicated her career to being a difference-maker in the fields of special education and speech pathology. She was an active member in numerous community organizations and volunteer boards. Her passion for impacting young lives, serving her community, and being a loving mom, grandmother, and wife were evident to all those who knew her.
A graduate of South Park High School and Lamar University, Laura began her teaching in Houston and Corpus Christi before returning to Beaumont where she – very appropriately – got a job working on the society page for the Beaumont Enterprise. While there, she met Kim, and they were married within a year.
In addition to her distinguished career as an educator in the Beaumont Independent School District, Laura’s myriad of community involvement included serving as both a sorority chapter advisor at Lamar University and also on the national Gamma Phi Beta Foundation. She was also a past president of Beaumont Junior Forum; served on the boards of the ARC, CASA, and Beaumont Community Players; and was also an active volunteer for the Julie Rogers Gift of Life organization.
A loving wife, mother, and sister, Laura is preceded in death by her husband of 49 years, Kim (married November 28, 1969), and is survived by son, Tom McMurray (wife Meredith), and granddaughter, Claire of Beaumont; son, Tim McMurray (wife, Vickie), of Commerce, Texas, and granddaughters, Maya Morris of Dallas and Marley Morris of Commerce; brother, Tom Taylor and his wife, Leigh; sister-in-law, Susan Corgey; brother-in-law, Steve McMurray (wife Sandy); along with nephews, Robert Taylor, Clint Baughman, Clay McMurray, and Chad McMurray; along with their spouses, several cousins, great nieces and nephews.
Laura never met a stranger and enjoyed sharing fellowship, laughs, and lending a helping hand to anyone – anywhere – anytime – as long as it kept her active and busy! As her family and close friends know, “you fool!” was a high form of endearment in her deep Southeast Texas accent.
Laura, you will be missed by a vast population of lives you impacted in Southeast Texas and beyond.
There will be a celebration of life visitation (masks required) for Laura from 5:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., Sunday, October 25, 2020, at Broussard’s, 1605 North Major Drive, Beaumont A private family memorial service will follow. Her cremation arrangements will be held through Broussard’s Crematorium, Beaumont. Please observe social distancing guidelines.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Gamma Phi Beta Foundation, 12737 East Euclid Drive, Centennial, Colorado 80111-6445 (https://donate.gammaphibeta.org/CSiDonate/Give.aspx/X3NRZKAQ#c) or CASA of Southeast Texas, 2449 Calder, Beaumont, Texas 77702 (https://www.casasetx.org/donations).
Please observe social distancing guidelines. By attending any public event you are acknowledging the risk of exposure to the Coronavirus. Please follow the guidelines provided by the Centers for Disease Control: cdc.gov.
Video
Broussard's Crematorium
Broussard's Crematorium
- 5150 stivers street beaumont tx 77705
Gathering of Family and Friends
Gathering of Family and Friends
- 1605 n. major drive beaumont tx 77713
- 10/25/2020
- 6:54 pm
Comments
Vick Nelson
I loved you . My first baby sitter. See you in Heaven my friend.
Leslie Ford
Her VOICE, is what I will miss !!!!!!! Loud and proud, full of life and happiness!!!!
J.c. Modica
LAURA WAS ALWAYS A PLEASURE TO BE AROUND. SHE WILL HAVE EVERYONE IN HEAVEN LAUGHING WITH HER WIITTED WAYS.
Jim Rutledge
I knew Laura all of my life because she lived across the street from my Grandparents Lancaster. Glenn Tomblin, Glenda Fehl and I all played together in that neighborhood on Irving Street as soon as we were out of diapers. Laura was an outstanding person and I was proud to be her friend.
Rob and Katie Colley
Heaven got a new Angel yesterday. Lord have mercy she will be greatly missed!
Jo Carolyn Gibbs Sekaly
God bless our dear Laura and all her family. She was a wonderful person, and I am very fortunate to have called her my friend.
John & Judy Bryant
Our thoughts and prayers are with all of the McMurray family. Laura was such a joy to be around, and we are proud to have been her friend. Judy, of course, was a classmate from grade school to high school. I met Laura at their 40th High School reunion cruise, where I sat next to her for the entire week of the evening dining event. Her memories of her childhood amazed me. She not only was able to recall all of her classmates that lived in her neighborhood, but those who attended other schools as well. It seemed that her entire class lived next door or across the street. I lived in South Park, but I attended St. Anthony schools grade 1 to 12.. I think she knew more of my classmates than I did. I thought for sure that i could get one past her, by bringing up one of my friends who left St. Anthony after the 10 grade, moving away to Galveston. So, after being shot down from one person after another, I said, "I bet I have one St. Anthony friend that you don't know, do you know Joe Pat Hamby" Without hesitation she came right back saying, "Of course I know Joe Pat, he played for the Red Soxs in the Little League, He was a home run hitter". How did she know that? She said she used to go to all of the Little League games with the family of one of her friends, who played , Teke Baker. So that was the start of several years of she and I bantering about one thing or another. I was the recipient of more that a few of her "Road Trips" when we rode together going to or from one of their classmate luncheons. She also introduced Judy and I to Liberty's Grand Ole Opry, Astro games, Community Theater, and on and on. She was on the go 24/7. Rest in Peace, Laura. May GOD accept you into an eternal life as a member of GOD'S family in Heaven.
Darla K McMurray
Laura was always so kind to me and you would have thought she could not be happier to have a conversation with everyone she met What a great lady.
William G Harvey
Laura was like a second mother to me and Paige. There are no words that can adequately express how much she meant to us. Love and prayers from the Harveys, Graham
Shanon Peacock Welch
Mrs. McMurray taught my sisters and I in pre-school and was a dear friend of my mother’s through Junior Forum. We affectionately called her “Mick Mack Murray†because that’s what her name sounded like to our 3yr old ears. I still remember that laugh and that accent that dripped with southern charm. For her to leave such an impression that I still remember her fondly at 46 is a testament to her character and the love she showered on her students. What a loss for us. What a celebration for heaven!
Joe Pat Hamby
I’m hHonored that she remembered those Little League year after moving from Beaumont . God bless her..
Joe Pat Hamby
I’m hHonored that she remembered those Little League year after moving from Beaumont . God bless her..
Joe Pat Hamby
I’m hHonored that she remembered those Little League year after moving from Beaumont . God bless her..
mary ann shumaker
I have known laura since we were 3 yrs old. We took dancing together from the miariam school of dance. We lived behind the bakers and so i got to see Laura when she was over there. Then when i was in the 6th grade Mrs, Taylor was my teacher at Fletcher. I would spend the night with Laura and ride to school with mrs. Taylor. She was such a sweet and kind person. I did not meet up with her again until we were grown, but we picked up right where we left off. I remember her grandparents Mr.& mrs. Johnson. They were so woncerful. I really enjoyed being in Mrs. Taylor's class at Fletcher. Rest in Peace my sweet friend. I am so glad I got to be part of your life.
Ann Chiappetta Sherwood
So many good memories of my dear friend, Laura. So sad to know that she will never tell me, “Ann you’re crazy!†I spent so much time at her house eating Maw Johnson’s hot pound cake after school. And, of course Berniece was always correcting my grammar as most teachers would do. They also took me along on Laura’s speech trips or to Galveston during the summer. I was so impressed staying at the Hotel Galvez as my family never did anything like that. The last time I saw Laura was at one of our South Park luncheons and I took her home. We will always remember the Laura we all loved. My sympathy to the entire family. Ann
Rosie walker
Unforgettable Laura. Her mother, Berniece, was my favorite teacher in elementary school. When I encountered Laura again a few short years ago, she remembered me. People who love people are a gift to the rest of us. They make us feel worthwhile. Laura is an example of how to get the most out of each day..
MATT WILLIAMS
I had the pleasure and honor of knowing Mrs. McMurray through her son and my good friend, Tim. There was never a dull moment around the McMurray house because Mrs. McMurray always had something to say to Kim, Tim, Tom, or whomever happened to be around, or she had another hilarious, "you-can't-make-this-stuff-up" story to share about teaching her students in B.I.S.D. Mrs. McMurray was one vivacious lady whom you couldn't ignore, or resist. I feel very grateful to have known her..
Tommy Mazzu
Laura was a joy to be around. She knew everybody and everything about them, but was never a busy body or a know it all. We enjoyed several classes in high school together and was as witty as smart. I'm so glad we we able to get together at our monthly luncheons and catch up on news, friends and people and just be glad to be there. Laura will be surely missed, and look forward to meeting up again in the next life.. Rest peacefully, Laura
ANGELA ROMANO
Laura was a friend to everyone. She was MS. Gamma Phi Beta and was a sister to all of us. I loved her dearly and sorry we had lost touch the last couple of years!
Bob & Brenda Taylor
You will be missed. Heaven is lucky to have you!
Bob & Brenda Taylor
Laura will be missed by many. She was such a dear!
Patsy Ruth Smith Royston
There will NEVER be another Laura. Love, Patsy Ruth
Carol Ann Citrano Chirafis
What a special person Laura was to so many people in her years of life! Teaching my son at Trinity, having Kim be a fabulous Santa, spending hours of fun with Laura at the Gamma Phi house and years continued as alums , sharing time with Bernice as the best substitute teacher in my years at BISD,,always laughing at what Laura was doing next in her life, sharing her thoughts on her sons and grandchildren so proud of all her family and the times she spent with friends during their illness.. God blessed us with a wonderful lady and may she bring laughter and joy to family and friends in heaven!
Lisa Dishman
Her smile and laughter was beautiful. I will miss seeing and hearing them both. Prayers for the family.
Lisa Shoup
Every time I saw Laura she had a big smile on her face and had some really funny comment to share. She was a sweet lady and will be sorely missed. Prayers go out to her family. She will be up in heaven making someone laugh I am sure.