Eva Mae (Martin) Murray

Eva Mae Martin Murray passed away at 84 on 28 March 2024 in Leawood, KS surrounded by her two children, Dawn Marie Babb (Ken) and daughters Nicole and Kaitlyn (Jesse and children) and Gregory Vernon Murray (Holly Beth) and daughters Mackenzie and Stella.  Eva is preceded in death by her father and mother, Vernon and Naomi (Loeffler) Martin of Ogden, Illinois.  Also surviving are her brother, Earl V. Martin, Eureka, Illinois, sister-in-law Marlene Martin, Peoria, IL and Eva’s husband of 39 years, Douglas Earl Murray of Mesa, Arizona.

Eva is also survived by nephew Col Paul Martin (USAF, Ret., Julie) of Tampa, FL and children and Linda Martin Sibio (Michael), Ft Lauderdale, FL and children.

A Visitation and Celebration of Life will be at 11am Saturday April 6, 2024, at Freese Funeral Home, 302 E. Grand, St. Joseph, IL. Immediately following the Celebration, Eva will be laid to rest at Patterson Cemetery alongside her beloved parents.

Eva’s greatest love was her children, grandchildren, niece and nephew all of whom received many handmade afghans, hats, scarves and other assorted products of her skill at knitting and crochet.  She also possessed a clear knack at finding those little gems of mementos for birthdays and Christmas.  Eva treasured family time and especially looked forward to the euchre games that would go late into the evening.

Besides being a dedicated Daughter, Mother and Grandmother, Eva also was a professional with a successful career managing the office and finances of Unitherm Furnace and Missouri Heat Treat in Wentzville, MO until her retirement.

Eva then moved to Kansas City enjoying retirement and being close to her children.  While she was an avid Chiefs fan, she remained loyal to the St. Louis Cardinals being sure to wear Cardinal red when she attended the I70 matchups between the KC Royals and the Cardinals.

The family would like to share a quote that Eva kept by her bedside tucked into a little book titled, ‘The Gift of Angels’.  It reads…

“If tomorrow starts without me please try to

Understand that an angel came and called my

Name and took me by the hand.

She said my place was ready, in Heaven far above.

And that I’d have to leave behind,

All those I dearly love.

So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think

We’re far apart, for every time you think of me,

I’m right there in your heart.”

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