Katilou B Murchison

Katilou Murchison, (neé Benjamin) of Atlanta slipped peacefully into the presence of her Lord and Savior with her chaplain son at her side.

Katilou was born in Birmingham, AL in 1931, and moved with her family to Atlanta 6 months later. She grew up on 17th Street at Ansley Park. She graduated from North Fulton High and had many happy memories of running, skating and riding the trolley with friends on Peachtree Street (Midtown) as a young lady. She attended Georgia Business College (now Georgia State University)

She met Townley McGiffert (Mac) of Tuscaloosa, AL at a fraternity party. They were married in 1950 at Second Ponce de Leon Baptist Church. They moved to Andalusia, AL where Mac was an executive with Alatex.

She had 3 sons Stephen Ray McGiffert (b. 1953) William Benjamin McGiffert

(b. 1956, d. 2025; Marcelle) and Rev. Townley Barnes McGiffert, Jr. (b. 1959)

Katilou was known for volunteer work all of her life, from rolling bandages for the Red Cross during wartime, to becoming one of the first Gray Ladies at Andalusia Hospital. She was a Den Mother, a Sunday school teacher at First Presbyterian, a carpool mom who didn't stop for Icees. Katilou was distinguished for her love of 50s modern decor and her refined creatieve ability. She loved arts crafts and supported local artists when she could.

She was a lifelong lover of pets, always allowing her boys to keep one, and was never without one or more in her senior life.

In 1971 she moved to Montgomery, AL where she eventually retired as an accountant with Retirement Systems of Alabama, and continued volunteer work with the Montgomery Cancer Center. Katilou was an avid bridge player achieving national Silver Life Master status in Contract Bridge in 2010. She was a long term member of the Womens Health Initiative for research in osteoporosis. She was especially fond of the Senior Sunday School Class at Frazer Memorial Church Montgomery where she worshiped, volunteered and socialized.

She was preceded in death by her parents Ray Neel Benjamin (d. 1973) her mother Evelyn Hunt Benjamin (d. 2001) her sister Louise Fallis (d. 2021) and her son Ben. She is survived by her 2 sons, and many other loving relatives and friends. A private Presbyterian burial officiated by Rev. Dorie Griggs was celebrated Tuesday at Westview Cemetery in Atlanta.

Her family wishes to thank Hospice Atlanta and The Fountainview Center for all their help, care and support.

Remembrances can be received by the Montgomery Bridge Club, 1103 S Perry St., Montgomery, AL 36104.