Alumni Obituary – Devonne (Buller) Murray

Devonne Lee Buller Murray, CC’75, passed away at Faith Regional Hospital in Norfolk on October 3rd, 2022. Devonne was born in Henderson, NE on October 8, 1955 to Arnold and Devonne went to the “pink school house” then to West Holt High. After graduating she went to Central College in McPherson, Kansas where she got her AA degree and met Phillip Murray. They went to Spring Arbor College in Michigan for her junior year and then married Phil in June of 1976. They had 46 years together.

Devonne worked at a Hallmark store while Phil was in school, and she completed her BA from Belleview College later after the boys were out of the house. They moved to Kansas City to Life Line Children’s Home where she worked in a girl’s dorm and helped cook. The year ended and they went to Plattsmouth, NE to pastor the Wesleyan Church, again this was a 1-year call. The district asked them to go help build the church in Alliance, NE. Devonne led the children’s programs and played the piano for worship services. Devonne enjoyed working with children so when friends called from Texas about working in an Emergency center preschool she wanted to go. The couple moved to Texas Baptist Children’s Home in Round Rock, TX. She enjoyed the little ones like they were hers.

She became a mother to son Gavin, she soon wanted to be closer to home and family. After moving back to Atkinson she became mom to Micah sadly he passed away, but God knows more than we do. She became Michael’s mom a short time later, now with 2 active boys her life kicked into high gear.

Devonne was very active in church activities with the kids, women and community groups. The couple often talked that God will call us home when our testimony is complete. She always wanted to be doing something for God. Health issues seemed to become a major part of the couple’s lives, it seemed they were never getting ahead of them. Devonne wanted to go and see as much as she could before she lost total eye sight. So they took train rides in Colorado, saw shows in Branson, the Black Hills, Noah’s Ark, Myrdal Beach, SC, Port Arkansas, TX and back to Branson, MO. Her main goal of this trip was to see the Jesus presentation. Phil called and finally got tickets in the front row seats so she could see what was on stage. On the way home she said she didn’t feel right, so when she got home she asked to go straight to the hospital.

Devonne is survived by husband Phillip and son Gavin (Michelle) of Atkinson, son Michael (Jacque) of Inman; 5 grand kids Nolan, Brooklynn, Paisley, Lane and Cabela; her brother Myron (Barb) Buller of Atkinson and many nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by son Micah, mother Lorene, father Arnold, sister Tanya, and in-laws Allan and Eileen Murray.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about Central go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.