Cecilia Murphy

Cecilia Murphy, 77, passed away at her home on August 12, 2025, following a courageous eight-year battle with ovarian cancer and leukemia. She was surrounded by her husband Rick Murphy and her six brothers and sisters.

Cecilia was born on October 6, 1947, in Brooklyn, New York, yet in her heart she was always a “Texas Girl.” She is preceded in death by her parents, Henry and Julia Sterbenz, and survived by her brothers and sisters and their spouses: Henry and Ann Sterbenz (VA), Casey and Judy Sterbenz (MD), Mary and Lou Loredo (CA), Jerry and Patricia Sterbenz (TX), Peggy and John Stautberg (TX), and Elizabeth and Brad Moon (TX). She was adored by her many nieces, nephews, and their families.

Funeral mass will be held on Monday, August 18, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church. Following, there will be visitation from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. in the Outreach Building at First United Methodist Church and a Celebration of Life starting at 2:00 p.m. with Reverends Ryan Heatherly and Tommy Vann. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to First United Methodist Church of McMinnville.

Cecilia’s Catholic faith was the cornerstone of her life. For more than a decade she was an active member of the Lay Carmelite Order, praying, studying, working through life together, bringing light and the love of Christ to a broken world.

Exploring the world while they were young, they traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Among her most treasured memories was her trip to Italy, the Vatican, and its holy sites with her sister Lizzy.

Like her patron, “Saint Cecilia” loved music, barbershop harmony, bluebonnets, irises, “High Tea” at Wordsworth Cottage in the Lake District and at “Kimmie’s” here in McMinnville with her sisters, big floppy hats, the Prayer Shawl Ministry, Good Neighbors, Rotary Breakfasts, Kari and Guinness, crocheting, Poirot, Miss Fischer, Father Brown, PBS, Frank Lloyd Wright, Christmas, the kids, Thanksgiving, and “Aunt Cecilia’s Famous Cornbread Dressing.”

And she loved Rick, following him “whither thou goest” throughout his long chamber career that moved her to more small towns and cities in Texas and Arkansas than a Methodist preacher’s wife. Her smile and warm heart made friends wherever she lived. Cecilia worked as a certified professional secretary (C.P.S.) until they retired to McMinnville 12 years ago.

Her courageous eight-year struggle with Stage 3C ovarian cancer and leukemia was an inspiration to her caregivers and friends. Two trips to Europe, her Golden Wedding anniversary in the Smokies with her brothers and sisters, day trips to nearby falls and wineries, entertaining with friends, gardening, and walking enabled her to live a full and active life in the little blue house, in this little town she loved.

Honorary pallbearers will be the members of the Barren Fork Bibliophile Society and Jimmy Pierce.

Online condolences may be made at www.highfuneralhome.com.

High Funeral Home and High’s Cremation’s, Inc. are in charge of arrangements.