Jerlyn Murphy

Jerlyn Simonton Murphy returned home to her Heavenly Parents on June 11, 2022. She valiantly battled multiple chronic illnesses during the last decade of her life. She fought the good fight and died in her home, as “her boys” (husband and son) sat by her side holding her hand before passing her off to her mom that passed previously. Jerlyn loved her family. More than anything, she loved spending time with her boys. In addition to her boys, she found great joy in spending time with her siblings, nieces and nephews, parents, close family, and friends. People mattered to Jerlyn. She loved them with her entire heart. It didn’t matter who they were; she saw them as sons and daughters of God and treated them as such. She spent her whole life trying to make the world better for all within her reach. Whether it was her siblings after their mom died, her husband and son, caring for any of the numerous loved ones that found themselves living with her, the countless sick children that were blessed by Hayden’s Toy Drive, or the work she did with the foster children whom she loved dearly. Jerlyn spent her life in the service of others. She was constantly sending notes in the mail to brighten people’s day, wrote uplifting thoughts on social media, reached out to those struggling, dropped off random treats to others, and remembered everyone’s birthdays. 

Jerlyn also lived a life dedicated to the Savior. She loved her Heavenly Parents as well as the Savior and testified of them and the ways they blessed her life any chance she could. She was a true disciple of Jesus Christ. She loved Him and always spoke of how the Savior blessed her and sent tender mercies and countless miracles into her life. Jerlyn often spoke of looking forward to hugging the Savior and the sweet reunion she would have with her mom, grandparents, and other loved ones.

Jerlyn will be missed but never forgotten by those whose lives were made better by her powerful influence. Jerlyn is survived by her husband and eternal love, Thomas Murphy, her beloved son, Hayden Murphy, and her fur baby, Max. She is also survived by her dad, Scott Simonton, and step-mom, Bonnie Simonton, her brothers Josh Simonton (Stephanie), Jake Simonton (Roseann), and JD Simonton (Cassie), her sister and best friend, Jodi Davis (Troy), her step-siblings Vaughn Bair (Katie), Brian Bair (Alyssa), Ashlee Anderson (Tracy), Kyle Bair (Krystal), Casey Bair (Victoria), Kae’la Bair (Jason), her prized nieces and nephews, and countless others whom Jerlyn considered her family. She was preceded in death by her cherished mom, Kathryn Sue Simonton, and all her grandparents. 

Jerlyn will be laid to rest next to her mom in the City of Mesa Cemetery. Her funeral services will be at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 26023 South Lemon Street, Queen Creek, Arizona 85142, on Saturday, June 18, 2022, at 10:30 in the morning, with a viewing from 9:00-10:00 am at the same location. A viewing will be held on Friday, June 17, 2022, 6:00-8:00 pm at Gilbert Memorial Park, 2100 East Queen Creek Road, Gilbert, Arizona 85297. Zoom link for funeral services: http://mywebcast.churchofjesuschrist.org/Events/gilbertarizonasevillestake