I can’t say that I was Libby Murphy’s closest friend. To be
honest, it had been months since I had last spoken to her. I can’t say that I
knew her longer than a lot of people in my life, because I didn’t just having
met her in 2012.
But, Libby Murphy changed my life, and for that I will always
be grateful.
Libby passed away last night rather suddenly. To say it was
unexpected would be an understatement. But, Jackson, Tennessee – and the world
will never be the same.
I met her in the early part of 2012. I had just moved back to
Tennessee – and was in an emotional wreck. My marriage was in the process of
ending, and I had just taken a job that, well, to be honest, I didn’t know if I
really was qualified for or not.
At the time, among many of her other causes, Libby was also
helping Gary Morris with various aspects of his career. Upon talking to her on
the phone a few times, it was obvious there was something different about this
woman. I literally had no idea. We made plans to meet for breakfast one
Saturday morning at Shaw’s Old Country Store (what many will simply refer to as
“Casey Jones”) in Jackson. We sat down at 10am, and began the small talk that
one does when you’re waiting on a waiter.
At 2pm, we placed our lunch order. In those four hours, we
talked about everything. But, for some reason, she had this strong interest in
my career. By the time I had left Jackson, I had a freelance job offer from a
West Tennessee magazine – in which the editor, Janna Herbison, has become a
close friend, and even was on the phone with a man who was Isaac Hayes’
personal assistant.
Through the meeting, and the years that have ensued, there
were moments that I was a little unsure of myself. Whenever I had those
moments, she would reassure me strongly that I was where I was for a reason. I
still have my moments where I doubt that, but I am a lot more secure than I
used to be in what I do.
But…..I am not alone. I was just one cause Libby Murphy
championed. If it was a charity in West Tennessee, Libby Murphy was usually a
crucial part of it. And, she knew everyone. Democrats. Republicans. Rich. Poor.
There were no lines with her. Upon talking with Janna about her last night, I
think you could effectively call her a force of nature, and you would be
summing her up properly. I wonder – and there will be no way to ever truly find
out – how many people’s lives are better for Libby Murphy having been in them.
And, when I say she knew everyone, that’s the way it seemed.
A meeting with her usually resulted in about four or five introductions. One
time, I was part of her entourage that went to The Blues Ball in Memphis. In
the car I was in was one of the leading surgeons in the mid-South. Later that
night, I was introduced to Priscilla Presley. I have been blessed to have met a
lot of people in the public eye – but Priscilla? This was royalty, for crying
out loud.
That’s just one instance of my world colliding in an orbit
that I would have never thought possible – had it not been for Libby Murphy. We
served on the board of Bone Appetit, an animal resucue event in Jackson one
year, and it was around the time that Princess Kate was pregnant with her first
child. As you can imagine, discussion was rampant at the table about what the
name of the child was going to be. I looked at Libby and said ‘Can’t you make a
call?’ She looked at me, without missing a beat, and said “I probably could.”
To this day, I still don’t know if she was joking or not. If
anyone in Jackson, TN had a pipeline to the Royal Family, it would have been
Libby Murphy.
While force of nature aptly describes her, for me she would
be a mixture of Julia Sugarbaker from “Designing Women” and Charlotte from
Charlotte’s Web. She was as southern and as sassy as the former, and as
compassionate and encouraging as the latter. She believed in me…..when I was a
total emotional wreck.
Losses are a part of life. As I get older, I understand that.
But, that still doesn’t take away the sting of this one. They say she passed
away at 9:13 last night. Somehow, by 10pm, I have a feeling a conversation such
as this was happening.
Libby: (in southern voice)
“Gawd, we need to talk. The animals need a park up here, and we need to
work on a beautification committee. I have lined up a benefit, and if you’ll
just show me where Elvis is, I can get this thing scheduled!
“Gawd” – nor Elvis – wouldn’t dare say “No” to Libby Murphy.
One just didn’t – or doesn’t do that. I will miss you, my friend, but I know I’m
not alone. All that you came in contact with
- humans and dogs – are the better for it. I’m glad you’re reunited with
your father, brother, and “Senator.” Thanks for believing in me, when I couldn’t
see the forest for the trees! I will try to pass that forward!
