Marianne J. Murphy

Marianne Judith Benson Murphy passed away on November 26, 2020 at the young age of 74. She lived in Southaven, MS until she recently moved to live with her son in Brandon, MS. She died of natural causes with her son and daughter-in-law by her side. A graveside service was held at Brooksville Cemetery in Brooksville, MS on Monday, November 30, 2020 with Bro. Jay Spiller officiating. Memorials may be made to Brooksville Cemetery Fund, c/o Melanie Hines, 586 Hines Rd., Brooksville, MS 39739, Sweet Paws Rescue, c/o Susan Towne, P.O. Box 752, Essex, MA 01929 or National Veterans Foundation Inc., 5777 Century Blvd., Suite 350, Los Angeles, CA  90045. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon was honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Marianne was born July 24, 1946 in Maury City, Tennessee. Her parents were Kenneth R. Benson and Christine Carter Benson. Marianne’s father was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Airforce which took Marianne and her sisters all over the world. They were stationed in places such as Okinawa and Turkey. Marianne spent her senior year in Turkey where she graduated from Iaimir American High School in Izmir, Turkey. She returned to the United States after high school graduation where she attended and graduated Summa Cum Laude from Memphis State University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a degree in business management.

Marianne recently described herself as happily retired. Before retirement, she was a career woman. She was an entrepreneur, a manager, and an executive. Marianne had a talent for interior design and floral design. She and her sister Amy owned and operated an interior design and décor store. Her longest and most cherished career was for Elvis Presley Enterprises at Graceland. This career was a perfect fit for her talents and business savvy. Her title at Graceland was “Special Events Manager.” She planned and managed large and small events including weddings. She designed and worked closely with the builders of Graceland’s original Chapel in the Woods. Her wedding and event clients were from all over the world. She had many celebrity clients, which included the Presley family, Sir Anthony Hopkins, and Oprah Winfrey to name a few. Many Rock-n-Roll stars and celebrities had their weddings at Graceland with her as the wedding planner. Her favorite wedding that she planned at Graceland was for her son Matt when he married his wife, Mary Ann. She also coordinated international events such as hosting President George W. Bush and the Japanese Prime Minister whom she gifted with a pair of Elvis style glasses. This was the first official visit of a foreign dignitary hosted by a sitting president not at the White House or Camp David. She coordinated fundraisers for organizations such as St. Jude Hospital for Children. She, along with other staff, hosted thousands of guests from around the world each day of Elvis Week. She organized a yearly Candlelight Vigil for Elvis that is seen around the world. She also enjoyed working closely with the Presley family, coordinating family holidays and family occasions which included working with the staff to decorate Graceland for Christmas. Her decorations were both inside and outside the home. When there were televised events at Graceland, she was there in the background making things happen. She planned, designed, and coordinated a televised wedding on NBCs Today Show with Pricilla Presley, and Jenna Bush in attendance as wedding guests. Marianne’s career at Graceland was more than a career––it was her calling. Many of the Graceland staff past and present are her dearest friends.

Marianne is a member of the Democratic Party and she happily voted in this last presidential election. She has always been an advocate for Civil Rights, Women’s Rights, and equal opportunity and treatment for all people. She loved her Republican friends and family even if she wanted to convert them. The family is blessed that she loved them all unconditionally, including the Republicans. She has a charitable heart and gives to many charities such as the Humane Society for the Treatment of Animals, Saint Jude Children’s Hospital, and the Veterans’ Foundation. She adopted animals––particularly shih tzu rescues.

In retirement, Marianne became an avid Facebooker. She expected a daily Bitmoji greeting from her children and several dear friends. She especially wanted to see her precious great nieces make milestones and enjoy life. She was pretty tech cool. Some of her family would affectionately call her a “queenager.” She used her virtual connections to see her family succeed and grow. She was an encourager to many people. She was a cheerleader and life coach to the ones she loved. She loved to travel with her sister Marty and friend Peggy. Her signature look was fiery red hair which went so well with her vivacious personality, but when it all turned gray, she proudly wore it!

Marianne was survived by her son Matthew E. Murphy and daughter-in-law Mary Ann Murphy; grandsons Stephen Moore, Nathan Moore; her sisters Martha (Marty) Spence, Amy Dent; brother-in-law Scott Dent; her nephews, Martha’s sons Collin and Bryon; her nieces, Amy’s daughters Megan and husband Brett McCormack and their daughter Reagan McCormack. Brenna and husband Brandon Ciereck and their daughter Cienna Ciereck, and her dog Doodle. Marianne loved her entire family more than anything. She was so proud of her son. She loved her “DIL” as she called her Daughter-in-Law. Marianne and Mary Ann had fun with their matching names. She sure loved her grandsons, nieces, and nephews. She loved that her grandsons greeted her with deep voices after their parents’ wedding, “Hello Grandma.” She cherished that title from that day forward. Family also included her friends. She was honored to be “mother of the bride” for Elizabeth Duensing and Cherrie Hughes wedding and to be a dear friend to Peggy Savage and Angie Markazie. Marianne appreciated so much her neighbor, Rene Storment. Her “lunch bunch” was always a fun group for Marianne. She was a true friend to her preacher, Reverend David Bayer. She loved her grandsons, nieces, and nephews as her “chill ren” as she would call them. Everyone in her life had a deep connection with her. She always loved a big hug from the people she loved. She was prone to very long goodbyes both on the phone and in person. That was okay because no one wanted to leave her.

Marianne was predeceased by her parents Kenneth R. Benson and Christine Carter Benson, her stepmother Margie Benson, brother-in-law Ian Spence and her pet shih tzu, Chewy. She had the privilege of caring for her father and stepmother before their passing.

Three words that sum up the life of Marianne Murphy: Hospitality, Love and Compassion – Hospitality, because her home and heart was always open to others. Love, because there was nothing more important to her than loving others. Compassion, because she always wanted everyone to have what they need.