Judy Murray Bowers

Mary Julia (Judy) Murray Bowers, who was devoted to her community and who cherished her family, passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 14, 2026, at her home in Humboldt, Tennessee with her son and daughter by her side. She was a one-of-a kind force and fought until the very end, having recently celebrated her 90th Birthday with family and friends.

Judy was born on April 30th, 1936, in Huntingdon, Tennessee, to the late Robert Mason Murray (who served as Mayor of Huntingdon and made her incredibly proud) and Virginia Curley Murray (whom she most likely inherited her feistiness from). Her life was marked by a commitment to service, an infectious smile, and a love for life.

Judy’s early years were spent in her hometown of Huntingdon where she spent most of her school years, enjoyed cheerleading and basketball but completed her early education at Brenau Academy in Gainesville, Georgia. She graduated from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville where she was a member of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority and the Phi Sigma Kappa Moonlight Girl, among other things. She was crowned Miss Knoxville in 1957 and as a result, she was able to participate in the Miss Tennessee pageant. In all of these settings, she made lifelong friendships.

She obtained her Audiology and Speech Pathology degree from Lambuth College (now University of Memphis - Lambuth) and went on to later serve as their Alumni Director. She used her experience as a speech pathologist in various settings, including the West Tennessee Cerebral Palsy Center. Prior to this career, Judy was a beloved Kindergarten teacher at the Presbyterian Day School in Humboldt and the host of a Jackson TV talk show called “Nearly Noon”. In all of these capacities, she was able to express her love for people.

Judy was a longtime supporter of conservative values and faithful friend to the Republican Party in West Tennessee whose political influence was widely respected; state representatives and congressional candidates routinely sought her endorsement and blessing before launching their campaigns. She earned many accolades and cared deeply about her community, her principles, and the people around her. She was appointed by Governor Don Sunquist as a volunteer board member to the Tennessee Arts Commission in 1997 to help cultivate the arts

across the state and appointed by Governor Bill Haslam to the Commission on Aging and Disabilities in 2013 to help advocate for older Tennesseans and individuals living with disabilities.

Beyond her political volunteerism, Judy was also named the official Honoree of the 85th annual West Tennessee Strawberry Festival. She had been involved in many aspects of the festival over the years including helping to design and build floats and costumes for her own children and others. She also rode her horse in the parade at times, including with her son, Ted, and daughter, Julie and in a horse and buggy with her son, Clay. She was perhaps best known for organizing and planning the annual Governors Luncheon, her first being when Winfield Dunn was Governor. She was also voted “Ms Gibson County” by the readers of the local newspaper, The Humboldt Chronicle.

Judy had many different passions including the theatre. She not only starred in local community productions (highlights were “Annie Get Your Gun”, “The King and I”, “South Pacific” and “Mame”) but she also directed community theatre in Humboldt ( including “Peter Pan” and “1776”). That love of theatre intersected with her love of travel. She and her husband Jack loved to travel but her favorite stop was New York City where she could delight in the Broadway shows.

Her love of animals was legendary and had one friend describing her as the “Pied Piper”. She was a rescuer of a diverse menagerie of animals including dogs, cats, a calf, squirrels, bunnies and a skunk named “Flower”. She was an avid horsewoman and was often found in a barn or field. She even hosted a 16th Birthday party for her horse named “Bo”. She always included her children in her riding. Her interest in horses began when her Dad, who was a lawyer in Nashville at the time, said, “Every little girl deserves a horse” and he brought a pony home in the back of their station wagon.

Judy loved her community, including the West Tennessee Regional Arts Center where she often served and was a faithful member of Faith Community Church in Humboldt. She worshipped the Lord best in song with her beautiful voice. She loved hosting her friends including her book club. In her earlier adult years, she was known to host an epic pool party. Later, she loved living in the country in the log home she designed (in 1985) and cherished. Her great desire was to finish her earthly days there and she was able to do just that, with her precious dog, Gracie, by her side and her horse, Gambler, still close by.

Judy is preceded in death by her parents, Robert Mason and Virginia Curley Murray; her husband of 27 years, R. Jack Bowers, Jr.; her son, Ted Murray “Raggedy Man” Jones; her brother, Robert (Bob) M. Murray Jr. and nephew, Robert (Bobby) M. Murray, III as well as Jack’s son, R. Jack Bowers, III.

She leaves behind a loving family who were the heart of her world: her son, Robert Clayton (Clay) Jones, and his wife, Shelby; her daughter, Julie Jones Tunnell, and her husband, Brad; as well as her beloved grandchildren Fort Jones, Mason Jones, Mary Julia Craft and her husband, Hudson; Scott Tunnell and his wife, Christine; Millie Tunnell, Josie Tunnell, and Bailey Tunnell.

She was also a proud great-grandmother to Elianna, Orson and Callan Craft, along with Ruthie, Clara, David, and Owen Tunnell. (The Tunnell twin boys were born the week before her 90th birthday.) Judy also loved and incorporated into her family the children of her late husband Jack: Jack Bowers III, Cindy Cook, and Joe Bowers along with their spouses, children, and grandchildren. Additionally, she adored her Murray cousins in Augusta, Georgia and her Butler cousins in Huntingdon, Tennessee. She had many special friends that she loved fiercely as well. She will be deeply missed but her dedication to family, community and service will live on in the legacy of those that loved her.

The family would also like to thank the many caregivers who lovingly cared for her as her health declined these past 4 years and to all of the kind and caring Gentiva Hospice nurses, staff and Chaplain that helped make her last days more comfortable.

A Memorial/Celebration Gathering will be held on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 2:00 PM at Faith Community Church located at 1428 Presbyterian Drive, Humboldt, Tennessee, with Rev. Glen Miller officiating. Visitation will begin at noon prior to the service. The community is invited to join in honoring and celebrating the remarkable life of Judy Murray Bowers.

If you wish, Memorial contributions may be directed to the West Tennessee Regional Arts Center, 1200 E. Main Street, Humboldt, Tennessee 38343 or online at wtrac.tn.org or to Faith Community Church, 1528 Presbyterian Blvd., Humboldt, Tennessee 38343 or online to www.faithcchurch.com. (or to the organization of your choice.)