Catherine Helms "Mamaw" McMurray

Catherine "Mamaw" Helms McMurray, 84, of Hendersonville, NC, went home to be with the Lord during the early morning hours at Elizabeth House on Saturday, December 6th, 2025, while surrounded by her closest loved ones.

Catherine was preceded in death by her parents, Graham "Jimmy" and Rosa Bost Helms; her beloved husband, Ralph, to whom she was married for over 60 years; and her youngest son, Jackie McMurray. She is survived by her loving and steadfast daughters, Cheryl McMurray Fowler and her husband Scott, and Charon McMurray Crisp and her husband Brian; her cherished sister, Elaine Helms Lancaster and her husband Stan, and sons, Graham "Jimmy" McMurray and his wife Jamie, and Ralph "Jr" McMurray and his wife Susan.

Several grandchildren also survive her: Courtney Fowler, Candace Fowler Redden and her husband Aaron, Ethan Fowler and his wife Candice, Brittainy Crisp, Brandon Crisp and his wife Molly, Brooke Crisp Kerns and her husband Caleb, Jacqueline McMurray, Catherine McMurray, Crystal McMurray, Hope McMurray Grier and her husband Jeff, James McMurray, Heather McMurray, and Kelsi McMurray Freeman. She is also survived by several great-grandchildren, her adoring nieces, Melanie Lancaster Matthews and Joyce Helms, and many other nieces and nephews.

Catherine was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She enjoyed taking long drives with her late husband and family, basking in the sun at Myrtle Beach travel park yearly, Elvis Presley, warm cuddles, buying and wrapping the most beautiful packages for her family at Christmas, snow sledding, board games, sitting by her fireplace during the cold winter months, and making the best snow cream. Catherine was a hard worker and dedicated to everything she did, including Granny's Produce Stand on Hwy 64 (60+ years), Secretary at Edneyville Elementary for 47 years, JP Stevens for 5 years, and JCPenney for 2-3 years.

She was always young in spirit, full of vibrancy, kindness, grace, and love. We will miss her sweet smile, tender eyes, and the way she would light up any room with her presence.

The family would like to extend a very special thank you to Maddie Montgomery, RN, with Four Seasons Hospice, who cared for her so gently, eloquently, compassionately, and whom she loved like her own granddaughter. The care she received over the past 2.5 years with Four Seasons Hospice staff was nothing short of exceptional and will remain in our hearts forever.

The family will receive visitors from 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM on Sunday, December 14th, 2025, at the Forest Lawn Funeral Home chapel, located at 538 Tracy Grove Road, Hendersonville, NC 28792. The funeral service will immediately follow at 2:00 PM. Preacher Bryan Melton will officiate. Flowers may be sent to Forest Lawn Funeral Home, or donations may be made to the Four Seasons Compassion for Life organization in Catherine's name at https://fourseasonsfdn.org/ways-to-give/give-today/.

Honorary pallbearers are as follows: Scott Fowler (son-in-law), Brian Crisp (son-in-law), Ethan Fowler (grandson), Brandon Crisp (grandson), Aaron Redden (grandson-in-law), Jack Tavel (nephew), and Stan Lancaster (Brother-in-law).