Shanna Lyn Murphy Bonvillian was born in Liberty Texas to M. B. “Doc” and Alice Pearl “Blondie” Kuykendall Murphy on September 1, 1955, and left us on December 14, 2025.
In her lifetime she had many adventures and made many friends along the way in her 70 years. She graduated from Liberty in 1973. In her junior high and high school years, she was in band, choir, debate, future homemakers, and did twirling contests on the weekends. While in high school, she held the following titles 1971 TVE queen, and 1974 fourth runner up to the Miss Teenage Beaumont.
During the times her brother, Melton “Lucky” Murphy was serving Vietnam, her and their sister, Laura Moore toured around Texas and Louisiana entertaining the troops with an USO troop out of Beaumont. After graduating from Liberty High School, she went on to Lee College to begin work on her associate of art degree. Later, she received her bachelor’s degree in education and her teaching certification in special ed from Stephen F Austin State University .
During these years, Shanna had great honor to meet the following people: Neal Armstrong, Larry Maham, and Chuck Norris, before he was an action hero who taught her how to do a round off kick. She taught school for 44 years at different school districts, including Grapeland ISD, Elkhart ISD, Crockett ISD, and Hull Daisetta ISD. She loved her kids like they were her own even during her fight against cancer and would get up and be the first teacher at school ready to work with her precious children. They were one of the reasons to get up.
She is proceeded in death by her parents: M. B. “Doc” and Alice Pearl “Blondie” Kuykendall Murphy, her daughter: Nicole Catherine Bonvillian, her brother: Melton “Lucky” Murphy, and sister: Glenda Pearl Murphy.
She is survived by her sister: Laura Moore and husband Douglas, nieces: Melissa Whittaker and husband Timothy, Manda Joseph and husband Dusty, nephews: David Murphy, Alan Murphy and wife Kim, Travis Moore and wife Lama, sister in-law Linda Murphy, 11 great nieces and nephews, 11 great-great nieces and nephews, four great great-great nieces and nephews, and many other loving family members and friends
Shanna’s legacy is one of service, kindness, determination, and unwavering love a life lived with purpose and a heart that touched generations.
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