Atlanta, GA, January 6--Beverly M. Murphy died Monday morning, January 3, at the age of 55 after having been struck by a vehicle December 31 in Destin, Florida.
Murphy was a highly talented home décor products designer, colorist, decorator, textile company executive, community volunteer organizer, author, gourmet cook, loving friend to many and devoted wife.
A native of Tennessee, she grew up in the interior design business. Her mother, an interior designer herself, always knew Beverly would be in the business one day because she played with fabric samples instead of dolls as a young girl.
She later studied at the Columbus School of Art and Design and worked in the retail carpet trade for seven years before becoming a principal at Prince Street Technologies.
In 1983, Beverly went on to found Invision Carpet System, a commercial carpet mill servicing the architecture and design trades. In 1998 she established "Beverly Murphy Home," her own design brand which appears on area rugs, furniture and accessory items in retail stores across the country.
Throughout her career Beverly earned numerous awards, including several Monsanto "Doc" awards and IIDA awards. She has served on the Advisory Board of the University of Georgia Design Department, and has been a member of IIDA. Her book, "Flawless Interior Decorating," was published by McGraw-Hill and released in November, 2004.
Beverly was a member of Sandy Springs Christian Church where she created a new outreach ministry, "Heart-to-Heart," which provides volunteer transportation to people who can no longer drive themselves to doctor appointments, the grocery store or other necessary destinations. She delighted in other ministries within the church as well.
She was also a gourmet cook. Her grandmother taught her at an early age how to make perfect pie crusts, fillings, breads and cakes. Over the course of her life, Beverly collected nearly a hundred cookbooks and became highly proficient in recipes from each one. She and her husband catered many select parties with rave revues from the diners.
Beverly is survived by her husband of 23 years, David Murphy of Atlanta, her mother and step-father, Jean and Vince Pelligrino of Marietta, a sister and niece, Sharon and Kristina Hess of Marietta, a sister and brother-in-law, Jeannie and Joe Keller of Knoxville, a sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Mike and Linda Stone of Atlanta, a nephew and niece, Elizabeth and Scott Finsthwait of Atlanta, a father-in-law, Bob Murphy of Buford, Ga and many dear friends.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Sandy Springs Christian Church (301 Johnson Ferry Rd., N.W., Atlanta, GA 30328) for the Beverly Murphy Memorial Outreach Fund which will be used to serve those in need within the community. A memorial service will be held at the church Saturday at 3 p.m. with a reception following.
