Stillwater, Oklahoma - Mary Elizabeth Fox Murphy, a talented creative, educator, serial entrepreneur, and devoted prayer warrior, passed away peacefully at home in Stillwater, Oklahoma, on April 22, 2026. She was 93 years old.

Born in Altus, Oklahoma on December 5, 1926, to Dr. Raymond Hume Fox and Lucille Elizabeth Jennings Fox, Mary's childhood was rooted in the values of the Great Plains.

Mary remained deeply connected to her roots. A high school cheerleader and homecoming queen, she rarely missed an Altus High School all-class reunion until 2019. Her children loved witnessing these weekends, where lifelong bonds formed in "simpler days" remained vibrant with laughter and shared history. Though ten years younger than her brother, Raymond H. Fox, Jr., Mary was his biggest fan, and their relationship blossomed into a profound adult friendship. Shared time with their spouses and children was treasured by both families.

Mary began her collegiate journey at the University of Alabama before transferring to Oklahoma A&M (now OSU), where she served as President of Pi Beta Phi sorority. She earned her B.S. in Clothing, Textiles, and Merchandising (CTM), fueling a lifelong passion for fashion. After a brief first marriage that gave her two daughters, Holly and Elizabeth, Mary returned to OSU for her Masters degree. It was there, on a blind date to a football game arranged by dear friends, that she met her "forever love," Wyche Murphy. They married in March 1961 and welcomed two more children, John and Mary Ellen.

Mary's professional life was a masterclass in versatility. She served as a university educator, co-authoring a Fashion Merchandising textbook used at OSU for years. Long before the digital age, she was a true "style influencer," publishing Fashion Associates, a monthly trend newsletter, and traveling as a lecturer and personal style consultant.

In the 1970s and 80s, Mary turned her expertise into a retail venture. She opened her first shop, The Morning Star, on Main Street and eventually opened a dozen different businesses. Her shops spanned everything from formal wear and children's attire to footwear and backpacks and t-shirt silk-screening. Ahead of her time and conscious of economic struggles in her community, she introduced "rent a gown" for wedding and prom attire. She was a prolific job creator, giving countless young people in Stillwater their very first start in the workforce.

Mary's introduction to politics was as prestigious as it was early. In 1944, she traveled to Chicago with her father to serve as a page at the Republican National Convention. This formative experience sparked a dedication to civic engagement. Years later joining the Bellmon Belles, a grassroots movement instrumental in Henry Bellmon's historic gubernatorial campaign. Mary was an advocate for the female electorate, organizing in-home "coffees" and outreach efforts.

Mary and Wyche's home was her canvas. A queen of DIY and a consummate host, she designed the house on Countryside Drive specifically for entertaining and family celebrations. Holiday gatherings were especially meaningful. There was always an extra place at her table or a spare room for those in need. Whether hand-screening wallpaper for the bedrooms or sewing complex window treatments and family outfits, her hands were never still. In later years, while caring for Wyche, she turned to fiber arts, creating "Swags" and "Braps"—beautifully hand-knitted wearable art that she sold and gifted to friends. There was always an extra place at her table or a spare room for those in need.

Her love for the outdoors took the family from the beaches of Gulf Shores and Cancun to the peaks of Estes Park, Colorado. Her devotion to the Rocky Mountains became a multi-generational legacy, as her children and grandchildren continue to find peace in the family's vacation home there today.

The latter half of Mary's life was defined by her unwavering faith and belief in the force of God in our lives. A mainstay of the early evangelical movement in Stillwater, she was also active in state initiatives, serving as County Leader for the Oklahoma Apostolic Prayer Network, and she dedicated herself to global missions. Mary traveled to India multiple times to teach at Bible schools and create curricula for pastors' wives.

In 1995, she founded Christian Women's Outreach and followed with the International Prayer Network. She used these online platforms to connect intercessors worldwide, focusing their prayers on topical and relevant issues. Mary was an active member of local prayer teams for many years that met all over the city. She frequently hosted meet and greets with visiting evangelical speakers. Mary was truly a "prayer warrior," believing deeply in the power of connection through Christ.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband, Wyche; and her brother, Raymond Fox.

She is survived by her children: Holly Marie Morgan; Elizabeth Leigh Murphy (Steve Lindsey); John Wyche Murphy (Pamela Allen); and Mary Ellen Murphy.

She leaves behind a legacy in her grandchildren: Jessica Jo Murphy (Keith McKee), Nicole Elizabeth Murphy, and Jackson Wyche Murphy (Molly Rose Borkenhagen), Catherine S. Murphy-Melicher, Krisztian W. Murphy-Melicher and Matthew I. Murphy-Melicher; and her great-grandchildren: Lily Rose Murphy, Daisy May Murphy, and Marcy Lane McKee. She is also survived by numerous nephews and nieces whose lifelong affection was a source of great joy.

Under the direction of Dighton-Marler Funeral Home in Stillwater, Visitation is 6:00pm-8:00pm Wednesday, April 29, 2026 and Funeral services are 2:00pm Thursday, April 30, 2026. www.dightonmarler.com

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her memory to Women for OSU (https://osugiving.com/women-for-osu) or the charity of your choice.