Mrs. Murfree was born in Murfreesboro, Tennessee on September 12, 1922. She was the daughter of the late Kate Currin Rather Bell and Robert Trigg Bell, Jr. Her father, Bob Bell, for many years was president and owner of controlling interest in Murfreesboro Bank and Trust Company, Rutherford County's largest bank. Mr. Bell successfully steered his bank through the great depression when many local banks closed. Her maternal grandfather, J.T. Rather, was mayor of Murfreesboro. Mrs. Murfree was also a great grandniece of Sam Davis of Smyrna, Tennessee, the Tennessee Confederate boy hero. Mrs. Murfree lived in her early youth with her family on East Main Street and later lived in the family home and farm "Bellwood" on Southeast Broad Street until her husband, Dr. Matt B. Murfree, Jr., returned from Germany, where he served in World War II, to practice medicine in Murfreesboro. She was educated at Gunston Hall in Washington, D.C. prior to her marriage. Mrs. Murfree was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she worked with the youth program when her children were young. Mrs. Murfree was also a lifelong member of the Charity Circle where she held various offices, the Oakland's Association and the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mrs. Murfree is survived by two sons and daughters in law, Matt B. III and Kitty Murfree and Robert Bell and Betsy Murfree both of Murfreesboro; five grandchildren, Dr. Robert Brickell Murfree and his wife Nikki of Alexandria, Virginia, Dr. John Phillips Murfree of Murfreesboro, Matt B. Murfree IV and his wife Sarah of Murfreesboro, Paul Davis Murfree of Washington, D.C. and Virginia Phillips Murfree of Nashville.
Pallbearers will be her grandsons and nephews Robert Bell Mifflin, John Galasso Mifflin, Robert Bell Mifflin, Jr., Gresh Martin, Randy Kozack, Randy Bryan; and cousins Sam Miller Haynes and Dr. J. Brevard Haynes, Jr.
