Obituary of Jo Ann Murphy

Jo Ann Murphy October 20, 1944 - July 02, 2018 Memorial services for Jo Ann Murphy, 73, of Lovington, NM will be held on Tuesday, July 10, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Mrs. Murphy was born in Chicago Ill. on October 20, 1944 to Charles and Josephine (Arentsen) Cox and passed away at her residence on July 2, 2018. She grew up in Chicago and also graduated there from St. Aquinas High School. She attended Eastern New Mexico University, graduating with her Master’s Degree. During her college years at ENMU, she met Gene Murphy and in 1964 she married Gene in Roswell, NM. They shared fifty four years of life and love together. Jo Ann gave Lovington twenty eight years of her knowledge, teaching skills, and being a principal to Lovington children. She loved her responsibilities, her fellow teachers, and all of the students she had the privilege to teach. She had a passion for children and education. She was a devout Catholic and loved her involvement with her church. She enjoyed watching golf, listening to Soul and Rock & Roll music, dancing, and she especially loved to laugh with family and friends. She was preceded in death by her parents. Surviving her is her husband, Gene, of Lovington; one daughter, Kelli Ann and husband John Moore of Lovington, three sons: Sean Murphy of Scottsdale, AZ; Brennan and wife Cora Murphy of McClean, VA; Ryan and wife Terry Murphy of Austin, TX; and ten grandchildren: Kelsey Moore, Meaghan Moore, Cassidy Moore, Miles Murphy, Quinn Murphy, Abby Murphy, Charlie Murphy, Finn Murphy, Aiden Murphy, and Jackson Murphy. Rosary will be held on Monday, July 9, 2018 at 6:00 pm at St. Thomas Catholic Church. Burial will follow at a later date in Chicago, ILL