Marjorie Murphree Kirkpatrick lived her life with a rare gift: she not only loved beauty—she saw it everywhere. In a child’s smile, in a well-set table, in a neatly pressed blouse, in the glow of a sunset, or simply in a moment shared with someone she loved. She believed the world was full of lovely things if you simply chose to look for them, and through her eyes, everything seemed a little brighter, a little kinder, and a little more full of grace.
Marjorie was born on January 31, 1925, to Ira McKelvey Murphree and Bessie Louise McCulloch Murphree, in Decatur, Alabama. She was the youngest of eight spirited children. From the very beginning, she possessed a spark—an unmistakable zest for life that never dimmed. Growing up as the baby of a large family taught her resilience, resourcefulness, and a cheerful determination that stayed with her for a lifetime.
Above all, Marjorie’s life was anchored in her unwavering faith in God and her steadfast belief in Jesus Christ as her Savior. Her Bible was worn, her prayers were steady, and her trust in God guided every step of her life—from quiet mornings to the heaviest sorrows. She lived her faith openly and joyfully, always ready with a Scripture, a prayer, or a reminder that God was in control. Her faith was not something she merely professed—it was something she lived, every single day. And through her example, she quietly led others closer to Christ.
Marjorie expressed her faith through service. She had a heart that simply could not ignore the needs of others. She volunteered faithfully at the local homeless mission, the area food bank, and area elementary schools—where she delighted in reading to students, helping teachers, and offering encouragement to little ones who needed it most. She also poured herself into planning church events, lending her eye for beauty and her talent for hospitality to make gatherings feel warm, meaningful, and welcoming. Wherever she served, she did so with humility, kindness, and a genuine desire to reflect God’s love. She was and continues to be an inspiration to all.
She loved beautiful things—both human and material. She delighted in children, celebrated the outdoors, and enjoyed every sport with the enthusiasm of someone who understood the gift of movement and sunshine. In her younger years she played softball, basketball, and took up bowling, traveling all over the country to compete. She was also a Lifetime Alumnus of Auburn University and never missed a football game.
She also modeled in her early life, carrying herself with a natural elegance that never left her. She adored beautiful hair, radiant skin, manicured nails and stylish clothes, possessing an instinctive sense of glamour. She never left her home without a full face of makeup and armed with multiple shades of red lipstick. Whether she was dressed for an outing or simply stepping into her backyard, she made an impression.
Marjorie’s greatest beauty was found within. She was the embodiment of Southern gentility—gracious, dignified, and unfailingly kind—yet she possessed strength as enduring as steel. Life handed her hardships that would have shattered many, including the loss of her daughter, her husband, and her grandson. Through it all, her faith remained unshaken, even as she stepped in to care for her two young granddaughters. As Scripture assures us in Psalm 73:26, “My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
She fiercely loved her family and friends, and though she birthed one child, she mothered many. Her heart, her home, her kitchen, and her life were always open.
Marjorie’s legacy is found far beyond the beauty she possessed. It lives in the lives she touched, the relationships she nurtured, and the faith she inspired. She lived with intention, dressed with purpose, and loved without hesitation.
As the saying goes, “Beauty is not in the face; beauty is a light in the heart.” Marjorie carried that light—and shared it generously.
We remember her as a woman of faith, elegance, strength, compassion, beauty, and grace. She didn’t just run the race of life well—she made it a grand spectacle. She lived fully, faithfully, and beautifully for 100 years.
May we honor her by carrying forward her love for beauty, her servant’s heart, and her unshakable faith in God’s goodness. And may we take comfort knowing she is now held in the loving arms of Jesus and joyfully reunited with those she dearly missed.
She is survived by Grandson Kirk Lewis, Spouse Sheri Lewis, Great Grandchildren, Lauren Lewis and Landon Lewis, Granddaughter Allison Peek, Spouse Douglas Peek Great Grandchildren, Lochlyn Peek and Lily Patrick Peek, Granddaughter, Ashley Holmes, Spouse, Zack Holmes and Great Grandchildren Harper Holmes, Harrison Holmes and Hallie Holmes
She is preceded in death by her husband, William Kirkpatrick, whom she was married to for 53 years and was the love of her life, Daughter Sandra Kirkpatrick O’Neal, Son William Michael Kirkpatrick, Grandson Patrick Corey Lewis, Mother, Bessie Louise Murphree, Father, Ira McKelvey Murphree, Siblings, Vernon Holland, Madge Finley, Ruth Murphree, Hazel Elliott, Maxine Kratt, Ira Murphre, and Richard Murphree
