Eufaula Magdalene Murray passed away on Saturday morning, April 22, 2023. She was born on December 26, 1930 in Como, TX she was the 5 ^th born of 9 children to Albert and Ruby Lee Murray.

Faula fell in love and married Leon Simpkins at the age of 19 and started her family. They raised five amazingly diverse children who have blessed her with 13 grandchildren and 13+ great grandchildren.

Being raised in a large family in the Depression Era, life was hard; to clothe a large family at that time was also no easy task. Faula's mother made all the family clothing and from this she took an interest in sewing helping her mother as a teenager. This early influence in her young life never left her, she enjoyed creating her own fashion designs and patterns, sewing for herself, her children and for the public in some capacity for many years.

Faula was very artistic and creative; this gifting led her in many unique pursuits. She worked for JC Penney for many years creating the large window displays in their retail shop in Greenville TX where she lived for most of her married life. She also had an entrepreneurial side and eventually began "Faula's Wall Covering Service" which later led to work in interior design.

She also found joy in many creative pursuits beyond fashion; she loved painting, arranging flowers, weaving and interior design. She created a beautiful home filled to capacity with things she loved that reminded her of those she loved most!

Faula was characterized by creativity, hard work, loving to laugh but most of all her love for her Savior Jesus Christ and each of these she passed on to her children and grandchildren in one way or another.

One thing about her, if you stood still for very long in her presence she was going to tell you about Jesus and His impact on her life. She spent many hours her life in ministering in the church and outside of it. Over the years she taught Sunday school, vacation bible school, worked in the Church library and with the Pregnancy Resource Center, she worked with many ages from youth to Senior Adults.

Faula suffered many of life's greatest hurts (enduring more than most people can imagine) but found the strength to survive each wounding through her faith as she clung to her Savior. Many of these events left deep scars that were often visible to those around her, still, her commitment to God, the church and His word were undeniable.

She treasured God's word and had a little devotional place set up in her home. The child's toy tool bench that was on the guest sign table today is what she used to hold her Bible and reading materials for the last 60+ years. This little "altar" has become a very precious memory to her children and grandchildren.

The family wishes to acknowledge and to thank the staff at The Viera Senior Living Community for the exceptional love and care given to our mother in the last years of her life.

Faula was preceded in death by husband Leon Simpkins and daughter, Judy (David) Morey. Also her parents, siblings Ann, Hazel, Gretta, Albert, Billy and Pearl

She is survived by her children, Kathy Dunahoo, Kenny (Nevette) Simpkins, Robin (David) Brand, Amy (Gill) Davidson and 13 grandchildren and 13+ great grandchildren.