Nancy Lou (McDowell) Murphy

Nancy Lou McDowell Murphy, age 90, of Newnan passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 16, 2023. She was born on September 22, 1932, in Greensburg, Pennsylvania.

Nancy was raised in Pennsylvania and moved to Coweta County in 1969 with her husband and four children. She was extremely active in church and community activities. Her love of learning  and creativity excelled her in painting and playing bridge with her friends. Also an avid reader, Nancy is remembered by many for her love of books and her incredible ability at trivia. She especially loved watching Jeopardy nightly and could tally up more correct answers than any of her family members. Nancy and her husband of nearly 70 years, John Francis Murphy, spent many years in retirement traveling in their RV with family and friends. She was a charter member of the General Daniel Newnan Chapter of Daughters of American Revolution and the Eastern Airlines Pilots Wives Club. Nancy was also involved with the Newnan Republican Woman’s Club, the old Newnan Hospital Auxiliary, and was a member of the clan of MacDougall out of Scotland.

Nancy is preceded in death by parents, Robert Irwin and Euphemia Farquhar McDowell, brother, Robert McDowell and son, Michael John Murphy.

As a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Nancy is survived by her loving husband, John Francis Murphy, her children Karen Murphy Bryan, James Patrick Murphy, and Maureen Murphy McDaniel. Grandchildren: Melanie Renfroe, Amanda Thompson, Bradford Murphy, Drew McCullough, Lydia Hyde, Chelcie David, Ryan Murphy, Morrow Murphy, Sara Brandenburg, Benjamin McDaniel, and Anna McDaniel. Great grandchildren: Haley McCullough, Chloe McCullough, Sy Thompson, Camden Murphy, Raelyn Murphy, Mack Renfro, Jake Renfroe, Leo Brandenburg, Ruby Brandenburg, and Jace Rinaldi. Also surviving are Nancy’s two sisters, Phyllis Boyd of Laceys Spring, Alabama, and Ann Harsch, of North Huntingdon Township, Pennsylvania. 

The funeral service celebrating Nancy’s life will be Thursday, March 30th, 2023, at 10:30 AM at St. George Catholic Church, 771 Roscoe Road in Newnan, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to a charity of your choice in honor of her. She would especially be pleased by any charity that involves helping others learn to read.

Higgins Funeral Home Hillcrest Chapel is honored to serve the family of Nancy Murphy, please visit www.hillcrestchapelcares.com to share your memories or leave a condolence message.

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