Dr. Joyce P. Murray

Dr. Joyce P. Murray of Lithia Springs, GA passed away on November 6, 2019 at the age of 76.  Joyce was born in Ridgeland, SC to the late West Manning Popham and Helen Sanders Popham.  She was a native of Tillman, SC. 

Dr. Murray  received a diploma in Nursing from Warren A. Candler School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Armstrong State College, a Master of Science in Nursing from Medical College of Georgia  (now Augusta University) and Doctor of Education from the University of Georgia.  She was a tenured Professor of Nursing at Emory University, retiring in 2012.  Dr. Murray served as the Director of Ethiopian Public Health Training Initiative for the Carter Center, Director of Accreditation National League for Nursing, co-founder and head of the Nursing Department at Georgia Southern University and chair of Accreditation for BSN and MSN programs at the National University of Singapore and the University of Sharjah.  She was the author and co-author of textbooks and numerous articles in the field of nursing, education and curriculum used world-wide.  Dr. Murray was instrumental in developing a new, innovative educational model focused on improving the quality of education for health professionals that has been adopted by numerous nursing schools in the United States and internationally.

Dr. Murray worked as a consultant leading workshops for schools of higher education in the United States, Ethiopia, Europe, Asia and the Middle East.  She served as a valued mentor to many nurses and educators throughout the world.  Dr. Murray was honored as a Fellow of National League of Nursing (ANEF), inducted as a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing (FAAN), recognized as an Honorary Alumni of Georgia Southern University, and received both the Mabel Korsell award from the Georgia Association of Nurse Educators and the Williams Teaching Scholar Award from  Emory University.

Dr. Murray had a passion for “caring” and “teaching”.  She believed the only way to teach students to care for others was to care for them.  Joyce taught and mentored with tenacity and energy.  Her students loved her and she loved them.

Dr. Murray enjoyed reading, traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren who were the light  of her world.

She is survived by her daughter Melinda Haulbrook (John) of Powder Springs, GA, two grandchildren Jacob Montana Haulbrook (Courtney), Mia Michelle Haulbrook, two great grandsons Jaysen and Brantley Haulbrook, one brother George Popham (Linda) of Louisville, KY, two sisters Brenda Sasser (Jeff) and Peggy Horton of Lexington, SC and several nieces and nephews, and special friend Sue Matzuras of Powder Springs, GA.

A celebration of life will be held at 3:00 pm, Sunday, November 10, 2019 at Sauls Funeral Home, 310 W. Adams St., Ridgeland with burial in Ridgeland Cemetery.  The family will receive friends beginning at 1:00 pm at the funeral home until the hour of the service.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Alzheimer’s Association.

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