In 1999, the family of Jessica Lee Murphy created The Jessica Lee Murphy Memorial Fund at The Community Foundation of Frederick County to honor a life that shined brightly, even in its brief time. Jessica was about to begin her sophomore year at Gov. Thomas Johnson High School when she was tragically killed in a car accident.
Jessica was a student-athlete who played volleyball, basketball, and softball. She was a tutor at a local elementary school, a member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, and—most memorably to those who loved her—someone with a vibrant spirit and a smile that never went unnoticed. Her family describes her loyalty to the people she cared about as never-ending.
Created in her memory, the fund awards scholarships to student-athletes graduating from Frederick County schools and to date has supported the educational dreams of 35 students, while also providing grants to local nonprofits.
This past December, the fund’s story came full circle in a powerful and unexpected way. Over the holidays, Charlton Kilgore, a former scholarship recipient, made a gift to the fund with a simple message: he wanted to pay it forward. Charlton shared that the scholarship helped him pursue his education at the University of Maryland, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. Since graduating from college, he has spent 15 years working in construction management.
“I am grateful to The Jessica Lee Murphy Memorial Fund and hope this donation helps fund future scholarships in memory of Jessica,” he wrote.
For Don and Sue Murphy, Jessica’s parents and fund founders, the gesture was deeply moving. “Whenever anyone new gets to know her story—and remembers not just how Jessie’s life ended, but who she was—that is a gift to us,” they shared. Charlton’s compassion, years later, affirmed something lasting: that Jessica’s legacy continues to inspire generosity, connection, and hope for the next generation.