Judy Eve Murray

Judy Eve (Gilreath) Murray was born January 15, 1945, to Raymond Earl and Mary Ellen (Nolte) Gilreath in Lynwood, California. The family soon moved back to Oklahoma and two more children were added to the family, Linda Joyce and Raymond Jr. (Bubby). Judy’s dad, and much of the Gilreath family, earned their living in the commercial minnow business, catching and selling wild river minnows. Her family moved from the Madill area to Granite and ran the Gilreath Bait Shop and Motel during the 1950s & 60s. She grew up loving the outdoors, climbing the mountain, and going seining at the river with her dad and Uncle James. Judy started first grade at Granite School, mid-year 1951, and continued through graduation in 1963. She was very athletic and a stand-out basketball player in her Jr. & Sr. high school years. At the age of 12, Judy was invited by a friend to a First Baptist Church service where she met Jesus Christ as her Lord & Savior, whom she worshipped the remainder of her life. She was later baptized in the L.J. Norman pond North of Lake Creek and became a member of Grace Baptist Church. Another meeting, of lesser importance but still significant, happened when Judy met Johnny Murray for the first time in the seventh grade in 1957. They developed a sweetheart relationship that ultimately culminated in a life-long marriage in 1965. After marriage, Judy obtained her Cosmetology license and worked as a Beautician, helping put Johnny through college at Weatherford until his graduation in 1968. They started a family while there with the birth of their first son, Rafe Edward, in 1969. Later that same year, they moved to Dallas, Texas, where Johnny had secured an accounting job. Judy was a stay-at-home Mom during those early years, and two more sons were added to the family, Jerome Lee in 1970 and John Mark in 1975. Soon after that, Judy and Johnny decided they wanted to raise their sons in a smaller place, and what better place than Granite, Oklahoma! So, they packed up and moved back to Granite in 1976. When the kids were old enough and all in school, Judy returned to the workforce to help with family expenses, by operating her own beauty shop. Later, she was hired at Granite School as a bus driver, then as a teacher’s aide, and finally as an administrative aide. All-in-all, Judy worked at Granite School for over 40 years and loved every minute of it! During the years of work outside of the home, she also kept up the household and family chores inside the home. But you never wanted to call her a “housewife”, or you would be promptly corrected! She was a “Home Maker”! Judy loved to cook, to follow her kid’s activities, to help with her husband’s business, and to go on family vacations. Even with all the hustle & bustle of family life, she was faithful to attend Church and made sure the boys were there also. She taught children’s classes and loved introducing them to Bible stories and to Jesus. Judy liked being an encouragement to people and loved helping others more than life itself! Now, she is discovering, firsthand, the wonders and promises of God in Paradise with her Lord and King, Jesus! Judy is survived by: her husband Johnny of the home; (3) Sons: Rafe & wife Tonya of Granite, Jerome & wife Yolanda of Yukon, John & wife Katy of Granite; (10) Grandchildren: Calhoun (Cal), Baylee, Carlee HySmith and husband Ethan, Tucker, Jackson and wife Ashley, Jake, Hudson, Lily, Evan, and Lucy; (2) Great Grandchildren: Winnie HySmith and Margot Murray; (2) Siblings: Linda Headrick of Blair, and Ray Gilreath Jr. of Lone Wolf. Plus, numerous other extended family, church family, and a host of friends. Words cannot express the love this family has for this lady, Judy Murray!

Judy Eve Murray

January 15, 1945 - December 23, 2025

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Judy Eve Murray

January 15, 1945 - December 23, 2025

365 Days of Grief Support

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information