Fort Worth educator and CPA Kathryn Murphey dies at 83

Kathryn Norleen Murphey, an 83-year-old retired certified public accountant and former high school teacher, died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026, in Fort Worth.

Her family scheduled a funeral service for Thursday, Nov. 5, 2026, at 12 p.m. The ceremony will take place in the Independence Chapel at Greenwood Mausoleum, located at 3210 White Settlement Rd. in Fort Worth. A visitation is set for one hour prior to the service in the same chapel.

Murphey was born in Fort Worth and attended St. Patrick’s Catholic School for first grade. She then completed her secondary education at Tandy Elementary, Meadowbrook Middle School, and Eastern Hills High School. She described her group of high school friends as "Eastside Girls," a circle that has remained connected for more than 75 years.

She married John Murphey in 1964 after dating for six years. The couple met at a neighborhood Baptist church when both were 15 years old. Their early life as military spouses included living in Tacoma, Washington, and Leesville, Louisiana, during John’s Army service. A deployment to Vietnam interrupted their honeymoon two years after their wedding.

Murphey held a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Arlington. She taught high school in Fort Worth and Arlington before earning a degree in accounting from Texas Wesleyan University. She later became a Certified Public Accountant. Her daughters, Cassie and Catharine, were in university at the time of her enrollment.

The family noted that Murphey traveled to more than 30 countries during her husband’s career and after their retirement. She served as the family’s primary traveler, managing packing, maps, and local navigation. Her professional life was accompanied by extensive community service, including roles as a PTA President, Meals on Wheels driver, Presbyterian Night Shelter volunteer, and Salvation Army board member.

She was an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church and a tennis player. The family also cited her skill as a baker of sourdough bread and her role as a frequent host for family friends. Her survivors include her husband, John; daughters, Cassie Murphey and Catharine Thomas; grandsons, Zachary Thomas, Stephen Thomas, and Jonathan Green; and sons-in-law, Cory Thomas and Bill Green.

The family acknowledged the care provided by Trinity Terrace Overture Health and Journey Hospice. They also thanked Maria, a family friend who assisted with their needs for several years. Donations may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Association of Fort Worth or the North Texas Humane Society.

The funeral is handled by Greenwood Funeral Home, which is located at 3344 White Settlement Road in Fort Worth. The family requested that attendees show kindness in memory of Murphey, a value she held central to her life.