In the early morning quiet of Monday, April 20, 2026, Cindy Bridgeman was able to find freedom and peace by slipping through the chains of cancer that had bound her for almost nine years. During those nine years, she employed some of her strongest traits of stubbornness and humor and perseverance to live with cancer until she could no longer battle the brutality of it and peacefully — as she had been through the whole journey — left her earthly body. It has to be said here, that her husband, Terry, and her son, Rory, selflessly cared for Cindy in her final days in their home. Their love for her was on display during those final weeks and days and hours.
Cynthia Lou Bridgeman, Cindy Lou, was born in Nashville, Ark., on Dec. 15, 1951, to Thomas and Bernyce (Williams) Bridgeman of Mineral Springs, Ark. She was the granddaughter of JB and Simmie Williams and Tom and Leila Belle Bridgeman. All of whom have preceded her in death. She leaves behind her husband, Terry Murphy, and her son, Rory Murphy, both of Austin, Texas, and Federal Way, Wash. She is survived by her sister, Becky Bruns, and her husband, David. Her niece, Rachel Bass, husband, Josh, and children, Caroline, Tru, Bo, and Sascha, some sweet cousins and precious friends.
Cindy graduated from Mineral Springs High School and the University of Arkansas. She began working for Social Security, living in Texarkana, Salt Lake City, Utah, and Austin, Texas. It was after meeting her future husband, Terry, that Cindy moved to Utah. Having lived in the South for all or her life, Terry opened Cindy’s eyes to the beauty of the mountains and hiking and cross-country skiing during her time there.
In 1984, Cindy moved to Austin, Texas, married Terry in 1991 and gave birth to Rory there. It is a true statement that we have never seen a mom who was more devoted to and who so unconditionally loved a child as Cindy did Rory. After she retired, she and Terry purchased a home in Federal Way, Wash., and she, Terry, and Rory enjoyed time there as well until she could no longer travel.
Cindy was loving, fun with a great sense of humor, supportive, kind, someone who loved unconditionally, and was loyal to all. We loved her. We will miss her.
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