Olivia Joy (Murphree) Brown

Olivia Joy Murphree Brown, age 84, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on July 24, 2023 in Germantown TN from complications of kidney, heart & liver disease. She was born on May 2, 1939, in Heber Springs, AR, the daughter of the late Thomas Oliver & Lucille Sneed Murphree.

Olivia accepted Jesus as her Savior at the age of 13 at Lone Star Baptist Church and was baptized in the Little Red River (now flooded). She grew up in Greers Ferry, AR and graduated from West Side High School in May, 1957.  Upon graduation she moved to Memphis TN where she lived with her aunt & uncle, Harry & Mazie Sneed Lloyd.  Olivia met her future husband at a Halloween church party in 1957.  Olivia & Clyde Lee Brown were married in January 1958.  Their daughter, Sharon Diane born in 1958.  Their sons, Charles Steven born in 1961 & Terry Lee born in 1962.  They settled in Memphis TN and lived there until 1993 when they retired & lived on or around Greers Ferry Lake until they returned to Memphis in 2008. Olivia brought Joy to her friends and family throughout her life and was a living example of what it means to serve God.

Olivia was preceded in death by her husband, Clyde Lee Brown of 53 years, her grandson, Dustin Lee Brown, her sister, Anita Murphree Cothren, her brother, Sam Murphree and her son, Charles Steven Brown.

Olivia is survived by her daughter, Sharon Brown of Collierville TN and her son, Terry Brown of Greers Ferry AR. Six grandchildren, Brad (Julianna Donahue) Christian of Memphis TN, Kevin (Patrice) Christian of Germantown TN, Jeff (Jenny) Brown of Nashville, TN, Chad Brown of St. Petersburg FL, Stevie Brown (Joseph) Lundry of Jonesboro, AR & Keri Brown of Prim AR.

Eight great-grandchildren, Corrine Christian, Isla Christian, Brinley Paige Christian, Mara Brown Lundry, Jody Lundry, Charli Lundry, Caden Brown, Fender Beck; and many relatives and friends.

Services will be at the Heber Springs Funeral Home, 1199 Wilburn Rd, Heber Springs AR on July 27.  Visitation will be at 1:00 pm.  Service at 2:00 pm, followed by interment at Shiloh Crossroads Cemetery in Greers Ferry AR.

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