Murlene Dewey

Services to remember and celebrate the life of Murlene Dewey will be 2:00 p.m. Monday, December 29, 2025, at Foyil Assembly of God. Burial will follow at Chelsea City Cemetery where Murlene will be laid to rest beside her husband LeRoy. Visitation will be in the chapel at DeLozier Funeral Service on Sunday from 1-5 with family there to receive visitors. Murlene left her temporary earthly home for her permanent heavenly home with her family at her side on Sunday, December 14, 2025. She was 93 years old.

Born in Mulberry, Arkansas, on January 15, 1932, to Idus and Icie Lee (Holt) Watkins, Murlene was raised and educated in Mulberry, where she attended Turner School. On July 16, 1949, she married the love of her life, LeRoy Junior Dewey, in Arkansas. Their marriage lasted 57 years, until his passing on April 21, 2007, and was blessed with three children: Mickey Dewey, Jimmy Dewey, and Dorothy Dewey Mullis

Murlene helped provide for her family by working as a seamstress, though her heart was always devoted to her home and family. While she carried many responsibilities, none meant more to her than serving as a minister's wife. In the churches they served, Murlene often accepted the role of pianist, frequently with the encouragement of her husband. She not only played beautifully but also sang and had a special talent for playing the accordion.

A woman with a wide variety of interests and hobbies, Murlene enjoyed cooking, making jelly, gardening, sewing, reading, quilting, and crocheting watching movies and listening to gospel music. She loved the outdoors and cherished the beauty of God's creation. Camping was a favorite pastime, with Roaring River, Turkey Tracks and Beaver Lake being among her most beloved destinations. Turkey Tracks held a special place in her heart due to the annual Bluegrass Festival, where she delighted in listening to the music. She loved attending to her beautiful flowers, and her rock gardens were filled with rocks she gathered from her travels. Murlene cherished the companionship of her fur babies Scooter and Susie.

She had a deep appreciation for history, especially her family's history, and eagerly shared stories and photographs with her loved ones. She was immensely proud of the family members who faithfully served in various branches of the military throughout her life. Murlene genuinely enjoyed celebrating with others, loved to socialize, and found great joy in simply talking with people.

Along with her travels, family gatherings, and simply being with her family, brought Murlene her greatest joy. She especially loved Christmas, a cherished family tradition celebrated each year on Christmas Eve. The evening always began with the reading of the Christmas story from the bible and a prayer. Another beloved tradition was gathering each month to celebrate all family birthdays occurring during that month, a tradition the entire family eagerly anticipated.

Murlene lived her life as a faithful Christian example and was truly a Proverbs 31 woman: "Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her." Her daughter-in-law, Carol, referred to her as "the best mother-in-law ever." Murlene leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and devotion that will live on in the hearts of her family and friends forever.

Murlene is survived by her children, Mickey Dewey and wife Teresa, Jimmy Dewey and wife Carol, Dorothy Dewey Mullis and husband Brent, grandchildren, Melissa Tyler and husband Jason, Clint Roy Dewey, Angela "Angie" Dewey, Anthony Grant Dewey and wife Delsea, Jamie LaRaeVeysey, Alan Dale Mullis. Great grandchildren, Drew Dylan Tyler and wife Rachel, Halee Faith Tyler and fiancé Taurus Yorkman, Christian Dewey and wife Marcy, Sean Dewey and wife Johannah, Kraven Dewey, Stephen Dewey, Brayden and Koko Martin, Talya Ranae Plummer and fiancé Felix, Ethan Daniel Veysey, Jeremy Ryan Veysey, great-great grandchildren, Avery Mae Tyler, Kai Damon Yorkman, Parker Elizabeth Tyler, Violet Dewey, and Reign Dewey. Brothers, Pete Watkins and wife Margaret, Kenny Watkins and wife Linda, special cousin, Ruth Beller, and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family.

Murlene was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 57 years, Rev. Leroy Junior Dewey, grandson, Jeremy Brent Mullis, great granddaughter, Alyssa Mae Tyler, great great-grandson, Bennett Grey Tyler, brothers, R.C. Watkins and wife Anna Marie, Argil Watkins and wife Virgina, sister, Edna Mae Cannonie, and special nephew, Larry Watkins and many other loved ones that have preceded her in death.