JoAnn Suter Murphey

JoAnn Suter Murphey, of Decatur, GA, died Monday, September 14, 2026, at the age of 96. She packed a lot into that time. JoAnn was a school teacher, soccer mom, 1996 Olympics volunteer, baker, gardener, Braves, Georgia Tech, and Atlanta United fan, member of the Decatur Junior Service League and the Pinetree Garden Club, a Class of 2000 Decatur Hometown Hero, Friendship Force Ambassador, daughter, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and aunt.

She was a graduate of Oakhurst Elementary School, Decatur Girls High, and Georgia State College for Women (now GCSU) in Milledgeville, GA. She returned to Decatur and taught 2nd grade at Stone Mountain Elementary for seven years. Later in life she taught 2-year-olds at Decatur Presbyterian Kindergarten for 20 years.

Above all was family. She met the love of her life, Candler A Murphey, Jr (“Pat”), in Sunday school, and they married on July 11, 1957. They built their home on Pinetree Drive and lived there for 41 years, raising (excuse me - rearing) three children and encouraging a revolving door of school, church, and soccer friends, cousins, grandparents, aunts & uncles, and international visitors before moving to Towne Square Condominiums in downtown Decatur in 2000. They were married for 59 years, 11 months, until Pat’s death in 2017.

As age started catching up to her, she moved in with daughter Caroline Grimes and her family. A brief stay at Arbor Terrace of Decatur was followed by a move to Indian Trail, NC, to live with daughter Laura Murphey and her family, which is where her story ended. All her children, plus beloved step-daughter Nancy Neel of Atlanta were with her.

JoAnn and Pat enjoyed traveling, whether it be to visit their kids in college, to see family in Alabama, Virginia, or Texas; Washington D.C. to see the WWII memorial; the Florida coast or the Grand Canyon with friends; Europe with the Friendship Force or the church choir; an Alaska cruise; or to California, just in time for the 1984 earthquake. Last year, she mentioned that she’d like to go to Australia. We told her she should have spoken up a little sooner.

An avid sports fan, JoAnn was especially excited to attend and support her children’s and, later, grandchildren’s sporting events. She loved playing cards - especially Liverpool Rummy - jigsaw puzzles, music bingo, and animals of all sizes. She also enjoyed the arts. Her son Bill is a professional actor in Atlanta, and she was his biggest cheerleader and publicist.

JoAnn was a lifelong member of Decatur Presbyterian Church, where she sang in the choir for 60+ years, served as an Elder, was a co-founder of Pastors’ Aides, an organizing member of the Crusaders Sunday School class, and a youth advisor.

She was born at Emory University Hospital to Louise and Carr Suter on April 5, 1930, and grew up in the Oakhurst area of Decatur with her older brother, Carr Moore, and younger sister, Lorraine, and cousin John Arthur Russell, who lived next door, all of whom predeceased her.

In fact, she was predeceased by most of her friends, close relatives, and contemporaries, which happens when you’re 96, and that made her sad. But she was buoyed by those that remained: son Bill Murphey of Atlanta; daughter Laura Murphey (Lynn Helms) of Indian Trail, NC; daughter Caroline Grimes (William) of Decatur; stepdaughter Nancy Neel of Atlanta; six grandchildren; six great-grandchildren, and a fantastic number of very dear nieces and nephews. “Mom,” “Granny Jo,” and “Aunt Jo” will be missed by us all.

In lieu of flowers - though she DID love flowers - she asked for donations to be made either to the Decatur Presbyterian Church Choir, or the Decatur Presbyterian Children’s Community. Or you can choose your own Agent of Good. No judgments.

A family graveside service will be held at the Decatur Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date when Decatur Presbyterian Church sanctuary renovations are complete. We'd love to see you there.