Roll Call Tribute

Kelly Lynn Murley
June 12, 1959 - September 15, 2021

Kelly Lynn (Bull) Murley died in Leander, Texas on September 15, 2021, after a lengthy battle against breast cancer. Kelly was born June 12, 1959 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, but got to Texas as fast as her parents would allow.

Kelly was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 10 years, Michael Murley. She is survived by her three children, Caroline McNair and husband Cole McNair of Fayetteville, Arkansas, Parker Smith of Austin, Texas, and Kaitlyn Smith of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and her beloved granddaughters, Evelyn McNair, Avery McNair, and Charlotte McNair. She is also survived by her stepchildren, Paul Murley and wife Cassie Murley, Ben Murley, and Sarah Murley. She is survived by her mother Sheila Phillips, her father Stanley Bull and wife Ruth Firshing, her two brothers Blaine Bull and wife Myra Bull, Chris Bull and wife Sally Bull, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Kelly grew up in southwest Houston, Texas and graduated from Westbury High school in 1977, where she exhibited her leadership skill as a cheerleader, member of the National Honor Society, the Key Club, and many other organizations. Most importantly, it’s where she made many life-long friendships. She graduated Cum Laude from Texas A&M University in 1981 with a Bachelor of Science. While at Texas A&M, Kelly was very involved in her sorority, Zeta Tau Alpha, and also served as President of the Panhellenic Council on the university’s campus. She was also very active in the Memorial Student Center’s (MSC) many activities, even serving on the governing committee.

After graduating from Texas A&M University, Kelly began her teaching career in the Spring Branch ISD in west Houston before working in Lake Travis IDS, St. Gabriel’s Catholic school, and Round Rock ISD in the central Texas area. She devoted herself to teaching children, primarily to 5th grade, winning several Teacher of the Year awards. She retired after 35 years of service.

If you knew Kelly, you understand that she lived her life to the brim. She was often referred to by many friend groups as, ‘the energizer bunny’. She never stopped moving, working, doing, serving…a life constantly in motion.

Kelly was a lover of the outdoors, often saying that is where God met her and spoke to her most often. In any given season she could be found on a walk around the neighborhood, hiking, or tenderly working outside in her garden until well past sundown.

Kelly became a Jazzercise fanatic in the 80’s and never left. She attended classes wherever she went and built deep, meaningful relationships through it. She often made it into the 100 club for such frequent attendance!

An avid baker, Kelly made sure that every special occasion, or even the mundane, was marked with a sweet treat.

Most notably, Kelly was loyal and servant hearted. She treated friends like family and strangers with love and kindness. Kelly never let a new neighbor go too long without a fresh loaf of banana bread after moving in and was given a neighbor appreciation award just last year. If she couldn’t remember your name, it was because she remembered your new puppy’s name instead. As well as all the names of your children and maybe your anniversary AND retained the entire story of you talking too long about a muscle you pulled.

Nana K was the name she most loved to be called. Quickly dubbed ‘the party grandma’, Nana K was never without an adventure up her sleeve! An active participant in her granddaughter’s lives, she was regularly accused of needing to pay taxes in Arkansas due to the enormous amount of time she spent there visiting. The roads were always hot between Austin and Fayetteville.

What made Kelly exceptional though, was her ability to keep Faith in the face of darkness. The valleys of life are where she clung to Jesus the hardest; her anchor in the unrelenting storm of life and circumstances. She no doubt has been found ‘a good and faithful servant’.

Kelly’s life will be celebrated with a service on Saturday, March 12 at 10:30am at St. Luke’s on the Lake located at 600 Ranch Road 620 North, Austin, Texas 78732. Following the service, the celebration will continue with lunch and storytelling at 12pm at The University of Texas Golf Club near St. Luke’s at 2200 University Club Drive, Austin, Texas 78732.

Memorial gifts in Kelly’s name may be made to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.