Dana Sue McMurray-Kimbro

Dana Sue McMurray-Kimbro of Austin, Texas, passed away on December 13, 2024, at the age of 68. Those who knew Dana would tell you there was no one else quite like her - her unfiltered honesty and genuine heart left an impression on everyone she met, from her doctors to her upholstery clients to her friends of all ages and backgrounds. Born June 10, 1956, in Gainesville, Texas, to Grover C. McMurray, Jr. and Myra Eudene Statum-McMurray, Dana built her life in Austin, where she established herself as both a successful businesswoman and a devoted single mother. In 1991, she founded Accent Upholstery, building it into a thriving business that she ran for over three decades. Her shop became a fixture near downtown Austin, where she mentored apprentices and worked alongside employees, maintaining a steady presence on South Lamar while raising her daughter. Dana faced life's challenges with remarkable determination and authenticity. She had a way of cutting straight to the heart of any matter with her trademark bluntness, often punctuated by colorful language that definitely can't be printed here. Yet beneath that uncensored exterior was a person of incredible strength and loyalty, particularly when it came to her daughter Corrine. The bond between mother and daughter was extraordinary - Dana never missed a soccer game or school event, and together they built the kind of relationship that most people only read about in books. Her quick wit and absolute refusal to be anything but herself earned her a special place in the hearts of her daughter's friends, her nieces and nephews, and a long succession of beloved dogs, beginning with her "first child," Lambo. She had a nickname for everyone - some printable, like "Dude" and "Dudette," and many that weren't - and her unvarnished honesty was matched only by her capacity for love. Dana's fierce devotion extended to her son-in-law Garrett, and especially to her precious grandchildren, Jules and Teal, who brought her immeasurable joy in recent years. Her love of life also showed in her dedication to her craft, her connection to Austin, and her remarkable journey of personal growth. She maintained decades of sobriety while serving as a steadfast friend to many on the road to recovery. She is survived by her daughter Corrine and son-in-law Garrett; grandchildren Jules and Teal; sisters (lovingly known as "the Aunties") Carolyn Miller (Bob), Judy Petty, and Elsie "Dee Dee" Russell (Tim); Uncle Sherman Millender; Cousin Brett Millender; and nieces and nephews Jason Miller, Dylan Petty (Danni), Bailey Petty (Travis), Michael McMurray, Katie Kuo (Jason), Clay and Chloe Russell, and Tammy Flinn (Casey), Nick Kimbro (Shannon) and Wes Kimbro (Rachel). A celebration of Dana's life will be held on Saturday, March 22nd, from 12:00 to 4:00 PM at Accent Upholstery (2200 S. Lamar). Friends are welcome to drop in throughout the afternoon to share memories and honor Dana's legacy. In her final days, her daughter Corrine expressed their eternal bond with words from Robert Munsch's "Love You Forever": "I'll love you forever, I'll like you for always, as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be." Like the straightforward, unforgettable woman she was, Dana lived life on her own terms until the end, leaving behind a legacy of determination, authenticity, and deep, unwavering love.

Dana Sue McMurray-Kimbro

June 10, 1956 - December 13, 2024