Murrel Crosson-Irigaray – dedicated daughter, sister, wife, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and loyal friend to many – passed away on October 27, 2022, at the age of 86 in Webster, Texas.  Murrel was born to Howard and Lena Phillips in 1935 in Dialville, Texas. Murrel graduated from Stephen F. Austin High School in 1954. After high school, Murrel immediately began working – eventually retiring in 2003 after giving 46 years of service to Valero Energy Corporation.

During her working years, Murrel had a passion for running and participated in numerous marathons throughout the country from Hawaii to New York City. For many years, she and her husband, Louis, enjoyed running together and made many lifelong friends along the way. Many of Murrel’s stories were centered around her running days and her running “buddies.”

Murrel also loved the arts. She attended numerous symphonies, plays, ballets, concerts, etc. She shared many of these events with her grandchildren – especially at Christmas time – which always involved dressing up and enjoying a fancy dinner.

Within the family, Murrel was best known for hosting the grandest of Thanksgiving dinners. Every year, for many many years, Murrel would host the family Thanksgiving celebration and she would prepare a full dinner for family and friends alike. No one was ever asked to bring anything – she prepared it all – from the turkey, to the sides, to the pies, to her most famous “Secret Recipe”.  We all looked so forward to this day every year – she made it wonderful, delicious, and beautiful. To this day, no one has done a better job hosting Thanksgiving dinner.

Most recently, Murrel loved shopping, drinking her morning coffee, walking around her neighborhood, going to church and Sunday school, and visiting with her family and friends as often as she could. Murrel made sure to attend every sporting event, performance, award ceremony, party, wedding, baby shower, etc. that she could. She made everyone she met feel special, loved, and supported. It would be a challenge to find someone who was not touched by Murrel in some way.

Those left to mourn Murrel’s loss are her sister, Wanda Heard; her nieces, B. Diane Kimball and Mary Kimball; her daughters-in-law, Robbie Young, Robin Lee, and Diana Irigaray; her grandchildren, Reagen Wilkins, Paige Thomas, Robert Young, Abbye Buchanan, Sara Ricks, Sean Velasquez, and Rachel Velasquez; her great-grandchildren, Raelee Wilkins, Ross Wilkins, Taylor Thomas, Jake Thomas, Brody Buchanan, Grayson Buchanan, Callum Ricks, and Miller Rae Ricks; her grandnieces, Kysa Littlefield and Ashley Clements; her great-grandnephews, Justin Littlefield, Collin Littlefield, and Levi Clements; her great-grandnieces Tara Clements and Harper Clements; and numerous friends she loved like family.

Murrel was preceded in death by her parents; her sister, Joyce Kimball; her husband, Louis Irigaray; and her nephew Albert Kimball.

A “Celebration of Life & Memorial Service” for Murrel will be held on Monday, November 14, 2022, at 10:00 am at Clear Lake United Methodist Church, 16335 El Camino Real, Houston, TX 77062. Reception to follow. Murrel loved flowers, but if you wish to make a donation in lieu of flowers, Murrel thought it was important to honor our Veterans – she regularly donated to several Veteran programs (Wounded Warriors, Tunnel to Towers, etc.)