Jacquelyn R. Murdock

Jacquelyn R. "Jackie" Murdock, 74, of Robinson, IL, passed away on March 1, 2026, in the comfort of her home. She was born on August 7, 1951, in Robinson, and she never really strayed far from the place and people she knew best. A 1969 graduate of Robinson High School, Jackie spent her life rooted in this area, building the kind of reputation you don't get by trying to stand out, but by simply being yourself day after day. She was hardworking, dependable, funny, and easy to talk to, with a one-of-a-kind sense of humor that made people feel comfortable around her.

That ease with people was one of the things that made Jackie so special. She didn't know a stranger, and she could strike up a conversation just about anywhere. More often than not, though, those conversations circled back to the people she loved most. If you talked with Jackie for very long, you were almost certainly going to hear about one of her kids, her granddaughter, or somebody else in the family. They were always on her mind, and that says a lot about the kind of woman she was. For Jackie, family wasn't just part of life. They were the heart of it.

That love didn't just stay in her heart. It showed up in the way she poured herself into her family's daily lives. Jackie helped with school activities and functions all through the years her children were in school, giving herself to the ordinary moments that end up leaving a lasting mark. She loved being with her family, and she especially treasured being "Meemaw" to her granddaughter, Haley. There was something warm and welcoming about Jackie, and she had a way of making people feel at home, whether through a conversation, a laugh, a little advice, or just being present.

That warmth and dependability followed Jackie wherever life took her, including into her work. She spent time at Crawford Electronics, and many in Palestine still remember her from the years she delivered newspapers. Then, beginning in the late 1990s, she started working for Addus HomeCare before later continuing through the DORS Home Services Program. In both roles, she served others in the kind of practical ways that can make all the difference. She cleaned, grocery shopped, and handled whatever needed to be done. She was never above the everyday work of caring for people, and she kept at it until she simply couldn't anymore. For Jackie, showing up for people wasn't just part of a job. It was part of her nature.

That heart for others could be seen in the little things, too. Jackie loved to crochet blankets and afghans for friends and family, holding onto a skill her grandmother had taught her long ago. She'd spent years making them, and each one became another small way of loving people. She also enjoyed baking, and her banana nut muffins and holiday fudge were simple things that left an enduring, delicious impression. Even the ways she relaxed had a way of bringing her closer to others. She loved playing bingo at the Elks for the company as much as the game, and she never lost her love for the Cubs, faithfully watching on TV and smiling when they won, saying her dad was cheering them on too.

Of course, a life shaped by love also carries loss. She never forgot her stillborn daughter, Ruby May, and for years, she took part in the Walk to Remember in Terre Haute in her memory. She also carried with her the love she shared with Bill Murdock. The two were married on January 13, 1979, and though Bill preceded her in death on August 2, 1997, his place in her heart never changed. The life they shared remained part of her story, woven into the family she loved so deeply. That kind of love is always rooted in something deeper. Beneath the warmth, the care, and the faithfulness that marked her days was a steady trust in the Lord. As a member of the Palestine First United Methodist Church, she lived from that place of faith, and it gave shape to the way she loved others. Now, even in our grief, that same faith points us toward the hope of where she is: safe and at home with her Lord.

She is survived by her son, Joshua Matthew Murdock; her daughter, Christy Rose Murdock; her granddaughter, Haley Renee Murdock; her sister, Sheila Kantner; her uncle, Carl Scott; and several other aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles W. "Bill" Murdock; her infant daughter, Ruby May Murdock; and her parents, Robert Lee Scott and Betty (McKain) Scott.

A time of visitation will be held from 3:00 to 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 5th, at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine. A funeral service will immediately follow at 6:00 p.m., with Celebrant Curt Goodwine officiating. During the service, family and friends will be given the opportunity to speak to the fullness of this dear woman's life. For those unable to attend, a live stream of the service will be available at www.goodwinefuneralhomes.com/live-stream/live-stream.

Cremation will follow the funeral service, and a committal service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, March 9th, at the Palestine Cemetery. Memorials may be made to her family of faith, the Palestine First United Methodist Church, with memorial envelopes available at the funeral home.