Elisabeth Watts “Poky” Murphy

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Elisabeth “Poky” Watts Murphy died Thursday, March 2, 2023, at her Oxford, MS home surrounded by her loving family. The celebration of life will be held on Monday, March 6, 2023. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am, followed by the service at 11:00 am at Oxford-University United Methodist Church. Rev. Chris McAlilly and Rev. Roger Shock will be officiating. Burial will follow in Eastover Memorial Cemetery.

The family hopes all celebration guests come dressed in color to honor Poky’s beautiful artistry talent.

Poky was born on June 24, 1954, to the late Thomas Kenneth Watts and the late Kathryn Alice Watts in Washington, DC. Soon after, Poky’s family moved to Meridian, MS, where she would spend most of her life. Growing up, Poky was a rule follower, always bossing her siblings around and ensuring everyone stayed in line, even at her own expense.

Poky graduated from Meridian High School in 1972. After graduation, Poky pursued a Bachelor’s of Education at Mississippi State, then completed her Master’s of Art at the University of Mississippi. Poky and the late Mike Murphy married in 1978. Poky was blessed to become a mother in 1985 when she welcomed her beautiful daughter Erin, followed by her handsome son Todd, in 1990.

Poky was a talented painter and passionate teacher who looked at the world and people through a creative lens. She was a natural-born caretaker and took that role seriously. Poky was also an avid gardener who loved working in her yard and watching spring flowers bloom. She spent her downtime perusing the aisles at the local nurseries and taking in the beauty of nature around her and sharing sunsets and sunrises with her favorite people.

In 2020, Poky was blessed to move to Oxford, MS, with her now late husband, Mike Murphy, to be closer to her children and grandchildren, Copey (2013) and Jack (2015). Poky loved attending Ole Miss games and spending quality time with her family and friends in Oxford. Her proudest task was being able to pick her grandchildren up from school and teach them both to draw and paint. It was their favorite pastime together.

Poky is survived by her children; a daughter, Erin Murphy Cromeans (John) of Water Valley, MS; a son, Todd Murphy of Oxford, MS; a sister; Grace Watts Mitts of Meridian, MS (Billy); a brother, Thomas Kenneth “Kenny” Watts (Kim) of Meridian, MS; and two grandchildren, Leah Copeland “Copey” Cromeans and John William “Jack” Cromeans IV.

Expressions of sympathy or memorial contributions in Poky’s memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105, or to a charity of your choice.