Danny Stephenson Murley

Danny Stephenson Murley passed into the arms of Jesus on July 9, 2026, at his home in Jackson, TN, with his wife, Sheila Sellers Murley and his brother, Paul Murley holding his hands. Danny was the seventh child of Richard and Bessie Murley of Ashland, MS.

As a youth, he was an accomplished pool player but later took on the game of golf. For years, he pretended to hunt deer with his brothers, but after realizing that those deer were to pretty and innocent to kill, he stayed behind in the kitchen to help his sister, Lynda, cook breakfast for the hunters. He loved all of God’s creatures and would often pick up strays.. dogs, cats, birds with broken wings, and often escort snakes off of his property. He would stop on the side of the highway to pick up animals who had been killed and bury them because he believed all of God’s creatures deserved the dignity of a decent burial.

Danny graduated from Ashland High School as valedictorian in 1965. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Mississippi State University in 1969. After a year of teaching high school math, Danny was fortunate to join State Farm Insurance where he had a long and successful career beginning as a claims adjuster and soon was designated as an arson specialist. He was promoted into management where he served the Memphis area for several years before moving to Brownsville, TN, where he served his community as a Good Neighbor State Farm agent for more than 27 years.

Danny was active in the Brownsville First United Methodist Church. He loved singing in the choir. His gifts of administration were used to serve on all the various administrative committees. He loved to flip pancakes or scrambled eggs for the Men’s breakfast or fry fish or flip burgers for fund raising projects at church. Danny’s servant heart was always visible whenever or wherever there was a need. He was active in the community, serving on the Haywood Humane Society, the Brownsville Housing Authority, The County Planning Commission, and for many years he was a member of the JCs.

Danny loved God, his family, his friends, his neighbors, and strangers at Walmart. He was always ready to lend a hand, take food to the sick and shut ins, and often assisted with the Nursing Home Communion ministry. He reached out to people who were sick or grieving to assure them that there was always someone who cared.

Left to cherish his memory is his loving wife of 49 years, Sheila Sellers Murley; beloved daughter, Leigh Murley-Phillips (John); the smartest and most beautiful gift God ever gave him – his granddaughter, Sydney Kate Murley; brothers, Leland Murley, Paul Murley (Delores); sister, Lynda Murley Cox (Cooper); and a prolific family of nephews and nieces that know, without a doubt, that Uncle Danny loved all of them.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Richard and Bessie Murley; brothers, Tate Murley and Richard Murley, Jr.; sisters, Elizabeth Farabee and Grace Ausburn; and stepdaughter, Andrea Fry Lunsford.

A funeral service to celebrate Danny’s life will be held 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at First United Methodist Church in Brownsville, TN. The burial will follow at Ridgecrest Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 12:30 until the time of the service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brownsville First United Methodist Church at 117 E. Franklin Street, Brownsville, TN 38012 or to the Haywood County Humane Society at 217 S. Russell Ave., Brownsville, TN 38012.

Pallbearers to serve include Richard Murley, Al Cox, Larry Farabee, Sid Bickley, Mark Murley, and John Phillips. Honorary pallbearers include Bobby Traylor, Ed Spence, Brown Smith, Joe Grant, Lee Berry, Joe Owens, and Robert Haynes

The Murley family is sincerely grateful for the Comfort Keeper aides who were so precious to him as they kept him safe, comfortable, and loved. Belinda, Della, Regina, Collete, and the entire Comfort Keepers staff. Also, the Beacon Hospice of Jackson team who provided comfort, care, and encouragement to him and to the family attending. The nurses Stacy, Katie, Diane, and the entire staff on call 24/7 who responded quickly, giving empathy and love no matter the hour. We were truly blessed.