Elsie Mae Bexley

Elsie Mae (Murphy) Bexley, age 89, went to be with her Lord and Savior on April 24, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. Elsie was born on May 13, 1936, in Temple, Texas, to Gladys and Ernest Murphy. She met the love of her life, James “Jim” Bexley, shortly after graduating from Temple High School in 1954. They were married on February 5, 1955, and shared 64 wonderful years together. Their love story led them on many adventures, living in four states and ten cities. Elsie’s steadfast support and dedication were instrumental in Jim’s distinguished careers in banking and education. Elsie poured her heart into her family—raising two children and later cherishing her role as “Mimi” to eight grandchildren and fourteen (soon-to-be fifteen) great-grandchildren. To know Elsie was to love her. She was a woman of deep warmth and quiet strength. Elsie knew, loved, and faithfully served Jesus. A devout Christian, she found joy in life’s simple blessings. She created lasting memories for her family through countless meals around her table, endless hours of games and books, special vacations and holidays, and her gift for storytelling. Elsie especially loved spending time with her family, traveling with Jim, serving in her church, reading, volunteering at schools and museums, and cheering on the Sam Houston State University Bearkats. She is survived by her devoted children, Byron (Debbie) Bexley and Tammie (Tony) Risica; her beloved grandchildren, Kristin (Justin) McWilliams, Amy (Kevin) Reardon, Tyler (Louise) Bexley, Kasey (Ryan) Struzyk, Brooke (Preston) Rock, Justin (Laura) Bexley, Jamison (Sereena) Bexley, and Trevor (Morgan) Risica; and her cherished great-grandchildren, Griffin, Macy, and Mallory McWilliams; Madeline and Michael Reardon; Hunter and Charlie Bexley; Kensley, Jaxon, and Kyndall Struzyk; Finley and Hudson Rock; Anna Bexley; and Neela and baby brother Bexley (due in May). Her legacy lives on through each of them. Elsie was preceded in death by her husband, James “Jim” Bexley; her parents, Gladys and Ernest Murphy; her stepmother, Irene Murphy; and her siblings, Ernest Murphy Jr. and Joyce Stefka. Visitation will be held at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. A Celebration of Life will take place at 10:00 AM on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Sam Houston Memorial Funeral Home in Huntsville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the James B. and Elsie M. Bexley Banking/Finance Scholarship Fund at Sam Houston State University.

Elsie Mae Bexley

May 13, 1936 - April 24, 2026