Rae Murphree

Thomas Rae Murphree, 90, passed away on Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Sanctuary Hospice House in Tupelo, Mississippi. He was born July 20, 1935, in Coffeeville, Mississippi to Thomas Amon (T.A.) Murphree and Eva McKibben Murphree. He graduated from Charleston High School in Charleston, MS where he played football. He graduated from Mississippi State University in January 1958 with a degree in Poultry Science. He married Carol Louis Howard on August 12, 1958. He was in the National Guard and received an honorable discharge in 1964.

They started their life together in south Mississippi before moving to Tupelo in 1968, where he started Northeast Mississippi Dairy Supply. He serviced the dairy farmers in north Mississippi until he retired in 2020. He put in the computerized milking barn at Mississippi State University for the dairy science program and the milk tank that the Mississippi State University cheese store uses.

While in Tupelo, he was an active member at St. Mark Methodist Church. He loved singing in the choir, participating in the Men’s Club, and helping in any way he could.

In 1998, they moved to Smithville, MS to be close to their daughter. While living in Smithville, he was a member at St. Andrew’s Methodist Church and later became a member at Amory First Methodist Church. He loved being an active part of the church and served on various committees.

His family always said he never met a stranger and he loved helping others. He served as a president of the Tupelo Band Boosters while Jane and Stacy were in the high school band. He also enjoyed watching his grandchildren participate in their various activities whether it be school or church related. If you needed something he probably had it – his shop had a little bit of everything in it, you just had to find it.

He is survived by one son, Stacy Murphree (Jennifer) of Madison, AL; one daughter, Jane Beasley (Terry) of Tupelo, MS; sister-in-law, Virginia Murphree, of Teasdale, MS; seven grandchildren, Nicholas Beasley (Kendall), Lauren McCoy (Josiah), Kelley Murphree, Allison Newman (Mike), Caleb Murphree (Haley), Noah Murphree, and Anna Claire Murphree; four great grandchildren, Ryland Marie Beasley, Christopher Adam McCoy, Reese Harper Beasley, and Thomas Peter Murphree; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He is proceeded in death by his parents, his wife, Carol Murphree; his son, Thomas Glenn Murphree; and his brother, James Don Murphree.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 PM on Saturday, January 31, 2026 at Amory First Methodist Church with Rev. Wesley Pepper officiating.  A private family graveside service will be held later at Charleston City Cemetery in Charleston, MS.  Pallbearers will be Nicholas Beasley, Josiah McCoy, Michael Newman, Caleb Murphree, Noah Murphree and Terry Beasley.

Visitation will be held prior to the service on Saturday at the church from noon until the service hour at 1 PM.

In lieu of flowers donations may be given to Amory First Methodist Church, 107 3rd St South Amory, MS 38821 or to Sanctuary Hospice House 5159 West Main St Tupelo, MS 38801.