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The one-year internship at NASA Ames Research Center became something more as employers recognized her talent and dedication. After seeing her complete a semester\u2019s worth of assignments in two weeks, they allowed her to work in different departments, leading to a full-time job as the configuration management group director for three years. She managed the day-to-day operations, supervising 12 employees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The veteran still sought a job that better aligned with her interests, though \u2014 one she still needed to identify. While working at NASA, she started McMurr\u2019s as a DJ service in 1997. In 2000, she settled in Estill Springs, putting her skills to work in video production, graphic design, and DJing for local events and parties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, Murray spent much of her time serving the community\u2019s kids for free. She led clubs and events at J. T. Farrar Elementary, including the yearbook club, dance club, Christmas parade, and DJ parties. For the community, Murray currently serves on the board of the Literacy Council and Tullahoma Educational Foundation. She has served on the Coffee County Anti-Drug Coalition committee, South Jackson Civic Center committee, Motlow Community College Early Childhood Education committee, Tullahoma Chamber of Commerce board of directors, and many others over the years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In the end, the kids became the biggest joy in her life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThey\u2019re just so happy \u2014 I don\u2019t know,\u201d Murray said. \u201cYou do stuff for them and with them, and they appreciate it. It just makes me happy to see them happy. That\u2019s really the main reason. It\u2019s something that I enjoy doing. It\u2019s just something that I\u2019m good at.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Murray\u2019s nearly 25 years of volunteering at the school allowed her to see her students\u2019 growth and even DJ at some of their most important events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cI\u2019ve done some kids\u2019 graduation announcements, their wedding announcements, their baby announcements \u2014 that\u2019s really cool, and I just kind of think, \u2018Wow, I\u2019m kind of there for all phases of their lives.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Murray continues her work to this day, not afraid to look silly \u2014 whatever it takes to make them smile. As adults, they remember her kindness, fun spirit, and the time she invested in them. The influence testifies to the woman\u2019s heart of service \u2014 actions that never ceased after her years in the Marines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, the key element of service is having the heart to care. GN<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" CATHERINE \u201cCAT\u201d Murray never quits. When days turn hard, evenings bring fatigue, and nights offer no rest, she keeps going \u2014 not for her own gain, but to serve the people around her. Her fight and drive come from her father. Her perseverance may have taken root in boot camp. But one thing is certain: […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":24034,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-24032","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-stories"],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/goodnewsmags.com\/tullahoma\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/8\/2025\/07\/3-1-1024x683.jpg\")