08/21/2026
Sandra "Sandy" Kay Murphy
Sandra Kay “Sandy” Murphy, 75, of Hannibal, Missouri, was born March 21, 1951, at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Hannibal, Missouri, to Franklin Carl and Emma Ruth Donath. She went to her forever home on August 20, 2026, surrounded by those who loved her.
Visitation will be at Grand View Funeral Home on Friday, August 28, from 5:00–7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be at Grand View Funeral Home on Saturday, August 29, at 10:00 a.m., and Pastor Kim Parker will officiate. Burial at Grand View Burial Park will follow the service.
Sandy grew up in the Palmyra area and graduated from North Shelby High School in 1969. One of her proudest memories from her younger years was working hard enough to buy her very own 1970 green Mustang with a plaid roof—a car that became part of many stories and memories throughout the years.
On September 2, 1972, Sandy married the love of her life, James “Jim” Murphy, at First Baptist Church in Palmyra. Together, they built a life centered around family, love, faith, and taking care of the people around them. One of Sandy and Jim’s greatest blessings was becoming parents to their son, Jason, and daughter, Sarah. That joy grew even greater when they became grandparents to their two granddaughters, Avery and Landry.
Sandy worked throughout her life in several roles where her caring nature and love of people could shine. She worked in the cafeteria and office at Hannibal High School and later served as a catalog supervisor at JCPenney. She eventually found a career with the United States Postal Service, where she remained until her retirement in 2019. Even while delivering the mail, Sandy was known for going above and beyond for the people on her route. Helping others was simply part of who she was.
Sandy was a member of Saverton-Illasco Methodist Church and lived her life with a giving heart. She was selfless, kind, generous, and remarkably strong. She was the person who put everyone else before herself and would give whatever she could to make someone else’s day a little better. She loved Elvis, was famous among family and friends for her homemade sugar cookies, and rarely missed an opportunity to attend a sporting event or family gathering. But more than anything else, Sandy loved her family.
Her greatest joy was watching her granddaughters grow and spending time surrounded by the people she loved. Avery and Landry held an especially precious place in their Nana’s heart. Whether she was cheering from the sidelines, celebrating a milestone, gathering everyone together, or simply spending an ordinary day with family, those were the moments that meant the most to Sandy.
Between Sandy and her granddaughters, a simple phrase became their own special way of expressing a love that could never truly be measured. Whenever Avery or Landry would tell their Nana, “I love you,” Sandy always had her answer: “Love You More.”
Sandy is survived by her loving husband, Jim Murphy; her son, Jason James Murphy and his wife, Stephanie Schofner Murphy; her daughter, Sarah Lynn Murphy Hall and her husband, Tracy Hall; and her beloved granddaughters, Avery Hall and Landry Hall.
She is also survived by her siblings, Linda Rosendahl and her husband, Ron, of Willard, Missouri; Larry Donath of Topeka, Kansas; Carl Donath and his wife, Annette, of Emden, Missouri; Debbie Harrison and her husband, Chris, of Hurdland, Missouri; Teresa McDowell of Palmyra, Missouri; and Barry Donath and his wife, Tracy, of Shelbyville, Missouri.
Sandy also leaves behind many cherished nieces and nephews: RonEarl Rosendahl, Cami Jennings, Katina Keller, J.R. Donath, Brian Donath, Heather Crook, Amanda McNeill, William Donath, Travis Kent, Zachary Harrison, Nicole Hathaway, Carlie Crane, Taylor McDowell, Adam McDowell, Amber Donath, Kayla Donath, Michael Murphy, Janie Glover, and Johnny Gordon, along with many extended family members and friends who were blessed by her kindness and generosity.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Franklin Carl and Emma Ruth Donath; her mother and father-in-law, John and Jane Murphy; her brother-in-law, Joe Murphy; her sister-in-law, Margret Gordon; and her nephew, Bradley Murphy.
Sandy’s life was not measured by possessions or accomplishments, but by the people she loved, the people she helped, and the countless ways she made others feel cared for. Her strength, generosity, kindness, and devotion to her family will live on through everyone fortunate enough to have known her.
And although those who love her will miss hearing her say it, they already know exactly what Sandy would say one more time: “Love You More.”
Pallbearers will be Jason Murphy, Tracy Hall, Michael Murphy, William Donath, Zachary Harrison, and Joe McNeil.
Honorary pallbearers will be Carl Donath, Barry Donath, Larry Donath, Travis Kent, Taylor McDowell, Adam McDowell, RonEarl Rosendahl, J.R. Donath, and Brian Donath.
Memorial contributions may be made to Saverton-Illasco Methodist Church or Compassion Church.
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