Helen Murphy

Helen Virginia Cauble Murphy

Helen Virginia Cauble Murphy was born in February, 1917 in Albany, Texas, and was fiercely proud to be a Texan, and then a New Mexican. Her father, W.H. Cauble, operated cattle ranches along the Clear Fork and Double Mountain Fork of the Brazos River in West Texas. W.H. Buster and Rosa Lee had five children: three girls and two boys. Helen attended school in Aspermont, Texas and graduated from high school in Snyder, Texas. She later earned a degree in business from John Tarleton College. In Snyder, she met Bruce Murphy. They married in April 1942 in Albuquerque. At the time he was a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Corps. During WWII, Helen lived in Ohio, where Bruce was stationed. After the War, they moved back to Snyder where Bruce worked as a petroleum engineer in the booming oil fields around Snyder. Their son Michael was born in 1944 in Snyder. Helen and Bruce moved to their cattle ranch at House, New Mexico in 1950 only to encounter the sand and drought of the 1950s. In the late 1950s they moved to Melrose to operate a propane and gasoline business. In spite of the droughts, including the current one, the family continues to ranch at House.

Helen and Bruce were able to acquire a mountain property in the middle of the Santa Fe National Forest near Las Vegas, NM where they spent many summers in their retirement. The family still enjoys summers at Murphy Meadows, as the property came to be known over the years. But noone will ever be able to cook such delicious food on a woodburning stove as Helen.

Helen was known for her sharp intelligence and lively debates. Even as her health declined, she remained very aware of current events and enjoyed discussing them. Her family was most important to her. Her sense of devotion to them will be greatly missed. She has left a lot of good friends in Melrose, House, West Texas and Northern New Mexico.

Helen is survived by Bruce, her husband of 70 years, son Michael, granddaughter Patricia Murphy, greatgrandson Bruce Murphy Rehn, Michaels wife Melissa, two stepgrandchildren, Heidi Smartt and Heather Smartt, and two step greatgrandsons Liam and Kyan.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the First United Methodist Church in Melrose would be appreciated P.O. Box 368, Melrose, NM 88124. A memorial service will be held at the Melrose Methodist Church with Rev. John Nash officiating on Friday, December 14, 2012 at 2:00 p.m. The family wishes to express their gratitude to the individuals who helped Helen and her family in the last weeks of her life.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of SteedTodd Funeral Home and Crematory, 800 E Manana Blvd, Clovis, New Mexico 575 7635541. You may also sign the online guest registry at www.steedtodd.com .

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