Dawn Murray: A Mother, Grandmother, and the Heart of Her Family, Making the Most of Every Moment

Written By Brooke Taylor, Board Chair

Dawn Murray hails from Perkins, Oklahoma, where her journey through life has been filled with joy, challenges, and an unwavering love for her family. Growing up in Stillwater as the oldest of three siblings, Dawn had dreams of becoming a marine biologist. However, life took an unexpected turn when she stumbled into the role of a school bus driver at just 22 years old—a position she embraced wholeheartedly, finding fulfillment in working with children in the school system.

Dawn’s heart swells with pride when she talks about her three daughters, now aged 37, 34, and 30, and her two adopted twin boys, who are now 28. "My children are my greatest accomplishment," she reflects, "watching them grow into amazing parents themselves has brought me the greatest joy." As the proud "Grams" to five grandchildren, Dawn treasures every moment spent creating lasting memories with them. 

In 2019, Dawn faced the storm of breast cancer, undergoing a lumpectomy followed by 15 radiation treatments, emerging with a clean bill of health. However, in November 2023, her life took another turn when she was taken to the ER where she received the life-altering diagnosis of 3C cervical cancer. Dawn underwent five rounds of chemotherapy and 30 rounds of radiation, only to face the reality of stage 4 cervical cancer three months later, with the disease spreading to her lungs, lymph nodes, and breast. Despite the odds, she remains resilient, drawing strength from her family and the love that surrounds her.

Dawn's Love Bomb represents a true silver lining during this challenging time. With the funds, she plans to throw a next-level Christmas party for her grandkids, ensuring they feel the warmth of family traditions and love. Additionally, she dreams of treating her daughters to a relaxing spa day, a time for connection and laughter, free from worries. “I want to spoil my grandbabies and create the best memories for them,” she shares. 

Dawn’s story is one of strength and love, reminding us all that, despite life’s challenges, the bonds of family and the spirit of giving can illuminate even the darkest paths. As she navigates her cancer journey, Dawn continues to inspire those around her, proving that love and joy can flourish amidst adversity.

Brooke Taylor, Board Chair

Brooke Clay Taylor is the founder of the Rural Gone Urban Foundation, a nonprofit born from her belief in supporting women who are tough as nails—women who don’t let the weight of the world break them.

A ranch girl at heart and a toddler mom, Brooke’s life has been anything but ordinary. Raised on a farm in Indiana, she learned early on that life isn’t fair, but it’s worth fighting for. At six, she lost her dad to colon cancer. By junior high, she traded her small-town roots for life on a cattle ranch in Oklahoma, and by high school, was already proving the world wrong when a guidance counselor deemed her “not college material.”

Brooke’s journey hasn’t been a straight line. After over a decade working in agriculture marketing with internationally recognized brands, she bet on herself and started her own business from the ground up, with just one client and a lot of faith. In 2019, when she gave birth to her daughter, she was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer. After a season of intense treatment, she was declared cancer-free, but life threw her a curveball when cancer returned in 2022 for round two. And yet, through every challenge, she’s never had to face it alone.

Brooke believes that while you can do a lot on your own, it’s the people in your corner that make the difference. It was this belief that led her to launch the Rural Gone Urban Foundation in 2022, a place for women in need of support—whether they’re pursuing education, building businesses, or battling cancer.

As a self-proclaimed “B student” and a mom to a 5-year-old, Brooke wants women to know they’re worthy of support, regardless of their GPA or their business’s current state. Her foundation is here to help women write their own stories of strength, resilience, and success.

In Brooke’s world, there’s no such thing as too much support—whether you’re in the ring with cancer, starting a business, or just trying to make it through another day.

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