Syntha Murdoch

Syntha Ann Murdoch, our angel on earth, flew to be with her Heavenly Father Friday, February 2, 2024, at 91 years of age. She loved the Lord and lived by His guidance and can eat her dessert before her meals now without getting comments from her family.

Ann was born January 17, 1933, to JW and Faye Lancaster Moore in Kilgore, Texas. She lived most of her life in the Williams Community and graduated from Williams High School in 1950. She went to college at Daniel Baker in Brownwood and transferred to Texas Woman’s University in Denton earning her bachelor’s degree in 3 years. Her father wanted her to be a basketball coach, but she changed her major and became an English teacher.

On September 10, 1954, Ann married the love of her life, Kenneth Edward Murdoch, after dating for a month. She loved to tell the story of their meeting while she was painting the ceiling in their living room with paint all over her. They were married 55 years and had 3 children and an adventurous life. They made their home in Williams where she grew up. Kenneth worked in the oil fields in the US and South America. Ann taught at Talpa High School and then May High School until they opened Mid-States Drilling Company. They lived almost 3 years in Venezuela and made multiple trips to Columbia. Ann taught 1st grade while in Venezuela.

Ann would rather be outdoors with their Brangus cattle than indoors doing housework. While Kenneth was overseas, she managed the ranch and took care of her family. She served on the West Texas Brangus Breeders Association board, President of the Women’s Auxiliary of the International Brangus Breeders Association (IBBA) board and became one of the first of two women to earn a place on the IBBA board.

The core of her life was her church, First Baptist in May, where she was a member for nearly 70 years. She loved and supported her pastors and their families. She was dedicated to learning God’s word and her home is filled with verses and notes written on pieces of paper while studying.

Ann had a beautiful voice that was developed as a young girl standing by her mother while she played piano. She loved to sing and was very disheartened when she lost her voice with age. She enjoyed seeing the young people in her church nurture their musical talents and grow in their walk with Christ. She was an avid reader and loved to discuss and trade books with her family.
Ann was a true May Tiger fan. If there was a football or basketball game she could make, she was there. There was always a current schedule hanging on her refrigerator. The players over the years may not have known her, but she knew them and would discuss their games throughout the week. She loved to watch her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren play.

Ann loved people, and always found the best in everyone without judgement. She lived by her often-quoted words, “If you can’t say something good, don’t say anything at all.” She chose to be happy and found joy and laughter in every situation. Through hardships she found good and prayed not for herself but for everyone else. She was calm but firm instead of turning to anger. Her family always said she had “the red phone to God’s ear”.

Dearest to Ann was her family. She is survived by her brother, J Weldon Moore of Keller, Tx, and sister, Judy Coker and husband Vic of Earth, Tx; her daughters, Kyra Murdoch of Rising Star, Tx, and Karla Rogers and husband, Fielding of Eastland, Tx; the 5 absolute joys of her heart, her grandchildren: Brittany Rogers of Breckenridge, Tx, Kendra Roberts and husband, Caleb of Rising Star, Tx, Drew Murdoch of Miami, Florida, Reba Lambert and husband, Sierra of Temple, Tx, and Michael (Mikey) Dickerson of Abilene, Tx, and her 8 great grandchildren who brought youthful hugs and fun into her life, Brayden Ireland of Brownwood, Tx, Kari Roberts, Austin Ireland, Ryan Roberts, Bekah Roberts, and Declan Roberts all of May, Tx, Quirt Rogers of Breckenridge, Tx, and Owen Dickerson of Ft. Worth, Tx.

She is also survived by her much-loved nieces and nephews and their children, her church family, the members of the Dorcus Sunday School class and a community of friends, and past students.

Preceding her in death were her parents, JW and Faye Moore, husband, Kenneth Murdoch and son, Dirk Murdoch, and cousins Russell and Patsy Lancaster, and Mickey Mathis.

Isaiah 40:30-31 – “Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall, but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint.”

Funeral services will be held Monday, February 5, 2024, at 10:00 AM at the First Baptist Church, 18955 Cunningham Street, May, Texas. The burial will follow the service at the Blake Cemetery, 22311 FM 583, Williams, Texas, Brown County, Texas. The family will have a time of visitation on Sunday, February 4, from 4:00 – 6:00 PM. at the First Baptist Church, 18955 Cunningham Street, May, Texas.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the May First Baptist Church Youth and/or May ISD Athletics.