Family, friends mourn Libby Murdaugh
The matriarch of Hampton County's most well-known family has passed away, leaving family, friends and community in mourning. But will her incarcerated son be able to attend her funeral?
Elizabeth “Libby” Alexander Murdaugh, the wife of former, late 14th Circuit Solicitor Randolph Murdaugh III and the mother of now notorious former attorney Richard “Alex” Murdaugh, has died at her Hampton County home.
Peeples-Rhoden Funeral Home in Hampton announced Wednesday that Libby Murdaugh “passed away peacefully” Tuesday afternoon, March 19, at her home in Almeda, near Varnville, under hospice care.
While the funeral arrangements were incomplete as of midday Wednesday, community members were already leaving condolences on the funeral home's website.
“It is very sad news to hear of Libby’s passing,” posted a retired educator. “She was a great teacher and school board member. For me as an asst. principal, she was an inspirational leader. She did much for the community she served - and she did it with a lot of heart. Hampton County will dearly miss her.“
“I am so sorry to hear of Miss Libby’s passing,” posted another community member. “She was a lovely person, with a kind and generous spirit. She taught my late sister, Belinda, in the sixth grade - back in 1965, and really made a positive impact on Belinda’s life. It was my true pleasure to know Miss Libby.“
Libby is survived by sons Randolph “Randy” Murdaugh IV, a senior partner at the Parker Law Group (formerly PMPED, founded by Murdaugh ancestors), and John Marvin Murdaugh, and daughter Lynn Murdaugh Goettee, along with several grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Who was Alex Murdaugh’s mother, Libby Murdaugh?
Elizabeth Jones Alexander Murdaugh, better known as Libby, married Randolph Murdaugh III on June 3, 1961, and was married to the legacy lawyer and solicitor for 60 years.
Like several of the Murdaugh wives and mothers who came before her, Libby also came from a prominent, founding family of Hampton County, the Alexanders of Brunson, and was an educated and accomplished woman.
Libby was an honor student in primary and high schools and was also a 1961 Columbia College honor graduate who earned almost every academic honor available. She was a member of the Alpha Kappa Gamma national leadership fraternity, the Alpha Psi Omega national dramatics fraternity, a three-year officer in the USC Student Government, and was named to Who's Who in American Colleges and Universities.