March 5, 1956 - June 30, 2024
he universe welcomed Jo-Ann Murphy on June 30, 2024 to the spiritual world from her home in Dayton, Tennessee.
She leaves behind her husband, Evan Pauley of Liberty, Missouri; her sister, Roberta Murphy of Pennsville, New Jersey; her beloved dogs, Nutmeg and Piper; and her good friend and boss, Frankie Burget of Windsong Therapy in Texas.
Jo-Ann was born to Robert James Murphy and Josephine Sayers (Munion) Murphy on March 5, 1956 in Summit, New Jersey after a long wait. They took her home to Springfield, New Jersey which she always considered “home.” She did not make life easy for them, but they raised her to be welcoming to all without prejudice or judgement and just a hint of political activism.
They moved the family to Pennsville, New Jersey in 1969, and she made it her home. She graduated from Pennsville High School in 1974 and Salem Community College in 1976 with an associate degree in business. She worked in the college library for a short time, but when they would not hire her, she went to work for county, state and finally the federal government. She worked from 1980 to 1987 at the Social Security Administration.
In 1989 she began Simple Delicious Natural Food Store on Hook Road in Pennsville. She loved the store and her customers, learning about herbs and homeopathy and trying to make a difference for others. She was a lector and Eucharistic Minister at Queen of Apostles Roman Catholic Church. She served as president of the Salem County Stompers Square Dance Club and missed dancing every day after she left. Her biggest regret was thinking she found something more fulfilling where she could continue dancing and moved from the area never to return.
Despite her many disappointments, she never saw them as failures, gave up or stopped trying to live her best life. She never turned her back on those who hurt her or mischaracterized her as she left that up to Karma. Most didn’t recognize that patience was her superpower.
Eventually she found satisfying work that allowed her to grow at Windsong Therapy and Wellness, Inc. in Bedford, Texas where she spent over 25 years managing the office and online presence. Many called her rude, mean, stupid or heartless, never seeing the power she had. She loved interacting with the patients and helping them in any way she could and getting to use the knowledge she gained through Simple Delicious. It made her life full and rewarding.
She settled in Dayton, Rhea County, Tennessee. It was the rural area and animals she loved. In recent years she began a homeopathy group called The Gleeful Gnomes. The name spoke for itself as they shared laughter and knowledge to better their own lives and the lives of others.
If you wish to honor Jo-Ann, put your resources into things that really matter. Spread kindness to all you meet, support homeopathy, and the equality of all people and genders.
A Gathering Time for Jo-Ann will be held in the Vanderwall Funeral Home parlor on Saturday, July 6, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 noon.
She will be laid to rest with her parents and grandparents in the Baptist Cemetery in Salem, New Jersey.
The family is being cared for by Vanderwall Funeral Home in Dayton, Tennessee.