Murphy was born to Thad, a high school football coach in Mississippi,[1] and Faye Easterwood[2] on September 20, 1952.

[1] In 1973, she was a starter for the United States women's World University Games basketball team that earned a silver medal at the 1973 Summer Universiade in Moscow.

[7] Murphy's husband Gene was hired as defensive coordinator for the Hinds Junior College football team in 1983.

[4] She became the first female football coach in National Junior College Athletic Association history.

[1] Murphy coached future NFL players Hason Graham and Purvis Hunt at Hinds.