Margaret Doty Murks

Margaret Doty Murks passed away at home in Huntsville, AL, Sunday March 7, 2021.  She went peacefully with her husband by her side.  She was born in Davenport, IA on February 10, 1953.  She had just turned 68 years old.  All her friends and family knew her as "Marj".

Marj leaves behind a large, loving family:  husband Anthony Wayne Murks; two children Keppy Lynn Miller and Richard Charles Russett III; eight grandchildren Simeon, Seth, Donovan, Gavin, Ryan, Morgan, Stephen, and Kaitlyn; six siblings Alan Doty (Maureen), Darlene Doty (Bob), Donna Guldenpfenning (Roy), Mary Monzon (Charlie), Joe Doty (Bonnie), Melanie Kershner; and many nieces and nephews.  And we can't forget her beloved four-legged babies Milly and Monroe.   

She was preceded in death by Dale Doty (father), Mary Doty (mother), Bob Doty (brother), Lorrie Jo (daughter), and Madison (her four-legged daughter).

Marj moved to Illinois after getting a job as a draftswoman. In 1992 she moved to Alabama and worked in the medical field.  She married Anthony Murks in October 2012.  They loved going to Gatlinburg, TN; Sand Destin, FL; and Tunica, Biloxi, Mississippi.  Marj loved her family! Some of her favorite times were with her grandchildren. When they were little, she loved to take them fishing, and as they got older, they would hang out at her house, play games, and enjoy all the food she made for them.

Marj had a huge heart for animals. We joked about how she loved her animals more than her own children. Her heart was not only big for animals, but for her family as well as they were everything to her.  No matter the day, Marj was always smiling.  She enjoyed laughing and making others laugh too.  Animals, family, and friends are what brought her joy and put her in what she loved to call her “Happy Place”.

There will be a visitation Friday, March 12, 2021 from 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Legacy Chapel Funeral Home and Crematory in Madison, AL.  The service will be held at 3:00 p.m.  In lieu of flowers the family would like donations to go to Hasra in memory of Marj (306 Knights Bridge Road, Florence, AL 35630, hasra.org).