Elizabeth Leftwich Murphey Milam

Elizabeth Murphey Milam, 72, most recently of Brookdale Westlake Hills in Austin, returned to her Lord July 1, 2022. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, July 12, 2022, at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 515 Columbus Ave, Waco, TX 76701, with Asst. Rector, The Rev. Brandon McGinnis officiating. A committal service will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, 2124 S. 5th St, Waco, TX 76706. Elizabeth was born in Lubbock, Texas, November 25, 1949, grew up in Meridian, Texas, and attended schools in Meridian until high school, when she was accepted into the prestigious boarding school of Hockaday, in Dallas, Texas. Upon completion of her diploma, Elizabeth began pursuing Library Studies at the University of Texas at Arlington. In 1968, Elizabeth met Jesse Rush Milam, III, the man who would become her husband. Following a whirlwind long-distance romance, they married August 1970, and had their first daughter, Mary Elizabeth Milam, the following year. As Rush was completing his law degree and beginning his new career, Elizabeth spent her time focusing on being a mother to Mary Beth, and making a comfortable home for their small family. In 1975, Margaret Brooks Milam was born, their last and youngest daughter. Two years later, the Milam family would move to McAllen, Texas, where they stayed for 14 years. During this time, Elizabeth was actively engaged in volunteer work as a member of the Junior League of McAllen, and as a docent with The International Museum of Art & Science in McAllen. The Milams quickly found their new spiritual home at St. John’s Episcopal Church and Day School, where Elizabeth would meet and become friends with then presiding Rector, Rev. Rayford B. High. Elizabeth volunteered with the church in numerous capacities, but it was her work as Christian Education Director that fired her imagination and brought her joy and satisfaction. Elizabeth would continue to actively participate in her church work and in service to those in need once the Milam Family returned to Waco, Texas in 1990, and joined St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. In 1994, Elizabeth unexpectedly lost her husband Rush, due to complications caused by hemochromatosis. They had been married nearly 24 years and had faced innumerable challenges of life and adulthood together. Elizabeth would find her strength and courage to continue in active service work through St. Paul’s Church, St. Stephen’s Ministry, and the St. Catherine’s Guild. After a number of years, she began to truly thrive when she discovered a passion and talent for gardening. With her two adult daughters grown, her nest was now empty, but she soon filled her home with dogs and showered motherly love on every bird, squirrel, racoon, possum, and armadillo that found their way to Elizabeth’s Hummingbird Road garden paradise. Elizabeth became a Master Gardener in 2008 and joined McLennan County Master Gardeners and the Waco Rose Society. Elizabeth’s garden was somewhat of a local attraction in her neighborhood of Woodway; neighbors would drive slowly around the block and circle back, to catch a glimpse of the riotous beauty that was her garden. It was not uncommon for visitors to stop and simply ask for a tour to see the hundreds of varieties of roses she had cultivated. Elizabeth was preceded in death by her husband, Jesse Rush Milam, III; her parents, Sue Carleton Brooks Murphey and Paul Chesley Murphey, Jr.; her brother, Paul Carleton Murphey, III; mother and father-in-law, Pattie Sue Clement Milam and Jesse Rush Milam, Jr.; and beloved aunt and uncle, Dorothy and Joe Kendrick. Elizabeth leaves behind her two devoted daughters, Mary Elizabeth Milam of Austin, and Margaret Brooks Milam of Austin. Survivors also include her sisters-in-law, Mary Milam Wentworth, Susan Jo Milam, of Waco, and Jane Stockard Murphey, of Meridian. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law, John Madison Clement Milam; and nieces and nephews, Ann Murphey Irish, Robert Edward Murphey, Michael Carleton Murphey, David Ray Murphey, Benjamin James Milam, Martha Margaret Milam Sarinana, Adam Sattler Milam Wentworth, and Michael Cameron Wentworth. Pallbearers will be Robert Murphey, Michael Murphey, David Murphey, Benjamin Milam, Milam Wentworth, Cameron Wentworth, Sergio Sarinana, and John Irish. In lieu of flowers, please consider contributions to: National Psoriasis Foundation, Alzheimer’s Association, Fuzzy Friends Rescue in Waco, Keep Waco Beautiful, Meals on Wheels, or simply plant some flowers in honor of Elizabeth’s joy and passion for gardening. The family invites you to leave a message or memory on our “Tribute Wall” at www.WHBfamily.com